- Department of Fire Services
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Jake Wark, Public Information Officer
PLAINVILLE — Local and state fire investigators found smoking materials and medical oxygen equipment at the scene of Friday’s fatal fire in Plainville, said Plainville Fire Chief Robert Skinner, Plainville Police Chief James Floyd, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, and Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.
“Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts and across the country,” said Chief Skinner. “We want to remind all our residents that there’s no truly safe way to smoke, and that smoking around home oxygen is especially dangerous.”
“Friday’s tragic fire was the fifth time this year that we identified smoking materials and medical oxygen equipment at the scene of a fatal fire,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “Four of them took place within a month. If you or a loved one use home oxygen, please use extra caution with open flames or heat sources. Any fire will burn hotter and grow faster in an oxygen-rich environment.”
The Plainville Fire Department responded to the fire at 61 School St. at about 3:10 on December 13 and observed heavy fire on arrival. Firefighters made entry into the single-family home and located the sole occupant, later identified as 68-year-old Mark Beyersdorfer, who tragically suffered fatal injuries.
The fire was quickly extinguished with the assistance of mutual aid from neighboring departments, including North Attleborough, Foxborough, Mansfield, Bellingham, Norfolk, Wrentham, Franklin, and Cumberland, Rhode Island. The Attleboro Fire Department provided station coverage, while the Mansfield Emergency Management Agency and Providence Canteen supported operations on the scene.
The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the Plainville Fire Department, Plainville Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s office. As with fires in Chicopee, Greenfield, Leominster, and Wakefield, investigators identified smoking materials and medical oxygen equipment within the home as possible factors.
Over the past five years, six Massachusetts residents have lost their lives in fires caused by smoking on home oxygen. Several others have been badly injured. The Department of Fire Services offers a pamphlet for residents, caregivers, medical professionals, and firefighters that can help oxygen users stay safe. It can be downloaded from the DFS website or ordered in bulk through the Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse.
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