A March 24 fire in a two-family duplex at 1243 Walnut Street in Newton Highlands took the life of one man, identified by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office as 69-year-old Scott Patz. According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, another adult in the home was injured but did not require medical transport, and occupants of the other unit escaped on their own. The Newton Fire Department upon arrival found heavy fire from the first-floor windows, located and retrieved the victim from the fire, and brought the fire under control within about 30 minutes.
Caused by Smoking Materials
Investigators — from the Newton Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal and Middlesex District Attorney — determined that the fire began in the area of a living room couch and was caused by smoking materials.
Newton Fire Chief Gregory J. Gentile said, “Mr. Patz and his loved ones remain in our thoughts at the Newton Fire Department and across our city. We also want to remind our residents that more than 100 Massachusetts residents have lost their lives in smoking fires over the past 10 years, and hundreds more have been injured or lost their homes. If you must smoke, or if you have guests who do, it’s important to use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and fully extinguish your smoking materials. Put it out, all the way, every time.”
No Working Smoke Detectors
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit did not find any working smoke alarms at the scene.
State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said, “Every family should have working smoke alarms on every level of their home. A house fire can become deadly in less than three minutes. Smoke alarms can give you the warning you need to get out quickly, especially when you’re sleeping. Test them every month to be sure your family is protected, and practice an escape route so you know where to go when you hear them activate. No property is worth your life – get out and stay out when you hear the smoke alarm sounding.”
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Police Chief John Carmichael issued a statement: “Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one… This is the third fatal fire in our community since December. We want to urge all our residents to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home. And if you hear those alarms sound, please — get out, stay out, and close the doors on the way out.”