Press Release  Space Heater, Smoking Materials Possible Factors in Fitchburg 3-Alarm Fire

FITCHBURG — A house fire that injured three occupants and a firefighter yesterday started on an enclosed rear porch where a space heater was in use, said Fitchburg Fire Chief Dante Suarez and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

The Fitchburg Fire Department responded to 153 Ashburnham Street for a report of a fire at about 9:25 yesterday morning. On arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and fire showing from the rear of the building. Firefighters rescued two occupants, one from a second-floor window and one from an interior stairway. Both were transported for medical care and one was later flown to a Boston hospital. A third occupant and a firefighter were also transported and are expected to recover.

The fire spread quickly from the rear of the building to involve the main structure, going to three alarms before firefighters working in bitter cold brought it under control. All residents have been displaced. The Red Cross of Massachusetts and Salvation Army are supporting them.

“This is a terrible time of year for an event like this,” said Chief Suarez. “Our hearts go out to the people who were injured and the families that lost their homes.”

The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the Fitchburg Fire Department and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office. They identified an enclosed rear porch as the area of origin. While the exact cause has not been determined, a space heater and smoking materials are among the potential factors.

“If you use a space heater at home, please be sure to keep anything that can burn at least three feet away on all sides,” State Fire Marshal Davine said. “Plug it directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord, and always turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.”

Heating equipment is the second leading cause of residential fires in Massachusetts. Between 2019 and 2023, nearly 6,000 home heating fires caused eight deaths, 139 injuries to firefighters and residents, and more than $42 million in damage.

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