- Department of Fire Services
Media Contact
Jake Wark, Public Information Officer

HADLEY — A two-alarm fire that damaged a family home started accidentally with smoking materials, said Hadley Fire Chief Michael H. Spanknebel and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.
Three adults were home at the time of the fire and called 9-1-1 after smelling smoke at about 4:50 yesterday afternoon. They were able to escape safely and no injuries were reported.
“If this fire had broken out a few hours later, when they were sleeping, it could have been a very different story,” said Chief Spanknebel. “Smoking materials are the #1 cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts and the nation. There’s no truly safe way to smoke. If you or a guest must smoke, then please – use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and put it out, all the way, every time.”
The Hadley Fire Department responded to find heavy fire venting from windows above an attached garage at the right side of the one-family home. Firefighters immediately made a quick exterior attack and additional crews made entry into the main body of the house and garage to ensure no extension and contained it to the area of the garage. The fire went to two alarms and drew mutual aid companies from Amherst, Northampton, Pelham, South Hadley Fire District #1, South Hadley Fire District #2, and Sunderland.
The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by the Hadley Fire Department and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office. Collectively, they determined that the fire began in the rear of the attic above the garage. They further found that it was accidental and started with smoking materials that had been used earlier that day.
“Smoking fires are especially dangerous because they can smolder quietly before anyone is aware of the danger,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “All it takes is an ember to start a fire that can badly damage a home and put people in harm’s way.”
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