Press Release  Second Victim Passes after Framingham Fire

FRAMINGHAM — Last week’s fire at an Interfaith Terrace apartment building has claimed a second resident’s life, said Framingham Fire Chief Michael D. Dutcher, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan.

“Our hearts go out to the family that lost two loved ones and their home,” Chief Dutcher said. “This is a terrible loss for them and our community.”

On the night of November 30, Framingham firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire at 33 Interfaith Terrace. After learning that two people were trapped on the second floor of the eight-unit apartment building, they made entry and located both women unresponsive. Firefighters rescued both from the building and immediately undertook lifesaving measures. The women were transported to an area hospital, and one was later transported in critical condition to a hospital in Boston.

One of the women, 49-year-old Leyla Mendieta, died on December 3. Officials have been notified that her daughter, 23-year-old Nathalya Samaniego, has also passed away.

The Framingham Fire Department, Framingham Police, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police detectives assigned to the Middlesex DA’s office determined that the fire began in the victims’ apartment in the area of a living room couch. The exact cause remains under investigation, but it does not appear suspicious.

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