News  Webster Fatal Fire Undetermined

WEBSTER — Webster Fire Chief Brian C. Hickey and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey announced the cause of the May 19, 2021 fatal fire at 146 High Street in Webster will remain officially undetermined. First arriving Webster Police officers rescued a woman from the second floor using a nearby ladder. She reported a man was trapped inside, attempting to rescue pets. The fire department was able to remove the man but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. The Office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. has identified the victim as Paul Duvall, age 60.

Chief Hickey said, “It is always terribly sad when we lose one of our residents in a fire and on behalf of Town of Webster, I offer heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim.”

The fire was reported at 9:40 p.m. It began on the exterior of the home on or near the side porch. There was evidence of smoking materials and common combustibles in the area where the fire started. Electrical wiring in the area cannot be ruled out entirely as a possible cause. There are no signs that the fire was intentionally set. It will remain officially undetermined, but the improper disposal of smoking materials is the most probable cause of the fire.

Origin and Cause Determination
Fire investigators work first to determine the point of origin of the fire and then its cause. Once they determine where the fire started, they identify the possible sources of ignition at that point and then work to eliminate each one, until they are left with only one most probable cause. In Massachusetts, we use the National Fire Protection Association Standard 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations as the protocol. It requires investigators to classify a fire as undetermined if they cannot eliminate all but one possible cause of a fire.

The Webster Fire and Police Departments, and State Police assigned to both the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the Office of the Worcester District Attorney jointly investigated the fire.

State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said, “Smoking is the confirmed or suspected cause of four of the five fatal fires in the month of May. I cannot stress how important it is to be a responsible smoker. It is a matter of life and death.” Fire officials recommend using a deep ashtray or container for butts like a can with sand or water. Don’t stub cigarettes out on the railing or steps and don’t toss butts into dried mulch, leaves, or potted plants.” For more information on being a safer smoker, visit: www.mass.gov/smokingfiresafety.