[UPDATE: On December 26, the State Fire Marshal’s Office reported that the person rescued from a burning home on December 13 has succumbed to injuries received in the fire. Newton Fire Chief Gregory J. Gentile said, “On behalf of the Newton Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family who lost a loved one. This is a terrible loss for them and for the community, especially during the holiday season. I want to remind all our residents just how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially for older adults.”
The Newton firefighter who rescued the victim from the fire suffered less serious injuries in the course of the rescue and has been released from the hospital and is recovering, according ot the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The State Fire Marshal’s office said that investigation by the Newton Fire Department, Newton Police Department, and fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office determined that the fire was accidental and began in the living room with a lamp that had been malfunctioning for some time.
State Fire Marshal Davine said, “Electrical events like this one are historically the third leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts. If you have an appliance that’s arcing, sparking, or smoking, unplug it right away if you can do so safely, and call 9-1-1 for help. Having your home’s electrical system inspected by a licensed professional every 10 years can identify problems before they become emergencies.”]
On the morning of December 13, two brothers survived a two-alarm house fire at their home at 125 Allen Avenue in Waban. According to Deputy Chief Mike McNamara, the Fire Department received a call from a neighbor at 9:39AM, and upon arrival firefighters entered the living room, which was ablaze and full of smoke. He said that firefighters found and rescued one brother, who had fallen from a chair in the living room and was not able to escape on his own. According to McNamara, that brother was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries, along with a Newton firefighter with burns on his neck. McNamara said that the other brother was able to evacuate on his own.
Ed. Note: This article, originally published on December 23, has been updated as indicated based on information received from the State Fire Marshall’s Office on December 26.