Newton Man Rescued From Allen Avenue Fire Dies From Injuries

NEWTON, MA — A man in his 70s who Newton firefighters rescued from a burning Allen Avenue home on Dec. 13 died from his injuries on Saturday.

Newton Fire Chief Gregory Gentile, Newton Police John Carmichael, State Fire Marshal Jon Devine and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan confirmed the man, who was not identified by name, succumbed to injuries he suffered in the electrical fire two weeks prior, while issuing an advisory to other elderly city residents about the importance of smoke alarms.

"On behalf of the Newton Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family who lost a loved one," Chief Gentile said. "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 State Fire Marshal's office said an investigation determined the fire was accidental and mostly likely started from a lamp that had been malfunctioning for some time.

Fire crews responded to the Allen Avenue home on the morning of Dec. 13 and found fire showing from the building. One man was able to escape the home, while crews found another man, who had mobility issues, and carried him out of the house.

The fire went to two alarms before crews were able to get it under control.

The victim and a firefighter were taken to Mass General Hospital. The firefighter was released and is recovering, according to the State Fire Marshal's office.

"Electrical events like this one are historically the third leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts," Davine said. "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."