- Department of Fire Services
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Jake Wark, Public Information Officer
TAUNTON — Investigators did not find working smoke alarms at the scene of yesterday’s fatal fire on North Walker Street, said Taunton Fire Chief Steven P. Lavigne, Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.
“Our hearts go out to the family that lost a loved one yesterday,” said Chief Lavigne. “We also want to urge everyone in our community to be sure you and your loved ones have working smoke alarms at home. Install them on every level of the home and test them every month to be sure you and the people you care for are protected.”
The Taunton Fire Department and Taunton Police responded to 19 North Walker St. just after 3:30 yesterday afternoon after passersby reported seeing smoke. On arrival, firefighters observed smoke showing and immediately made entry to attack the fire and search for occupants. They quickly knocked down the fire and located one person, an older adult who was pronounced dead at the scene, and two dogs who had also perished. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a formal identification procedure and determine the cause and manner of her death.
The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by Taunton Fire, Taunton Police, State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office. Preliminarily, they have identified multiple potential causes, all of which were accidental. Investigators were supported by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit, which found two out-of-date smoke alarms in the home; neither had batteries.
“Smoke alarms are like any other appliance,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “They don’t last forever. Take a few minutes to check the manufacturing date printed on the back of your smoke alarms and replace them if they’re more than 10 years old. If there’s no date, replace it right away. When choosing a new alarm, select one from a well-known, national brand that has a sealed, long-life battery and a hush feature. And please – never disable a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm. They’re your first line of defense against an emergency at home.”
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