carver — The fire that claimed the life of an elderly man in Carver last month started in the kitchen, said Carver Fire Chief Craig F. Weston, Carver Police Chief Mark Dufily, State Fire Marshal John M. Davin and Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy. J. Justin said. cruise.
The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office identified the man as 69-year-old James Collins of Carver.
“On behalf of the Carver Fire Department, we extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Collins' loved ones,” Chief Weston said. “This was a very sad loss for his family and the community.”
The fire on Tremont Street on March 20 was first reported by a 9-1-1 call just before 11 p.m. When the Carver Fire Department responded, they found heavy fire on the first floor. Based on information that a person was still inside, firefighters entered, located the person, and extinguished the fire. They found the victim and removed him from the building, but sadly his injuries were fatal. One other occupant was injured and transported for treatment. The person has since been discharged from the hospital and is recovering.
The origin and cause of the fire were investigated by the Carver Fire Department, Carver Police Department, State Police attached to the State Fire Marshal's Office, and State Police attached to the Plymouth Police Department. They determined the fire started in the kitchen, but multiple potential causes were identified. Investigators were assisted by the Fire Department's Compliance and Enforcement Division.
The criteria used by state police fire investigators requires investigators to rule out all but one potential contributing factor before determining the cause of a fire. The case remains officially undetermined because investigators were unable to rule out incidents involving cookware, lithium-ion batteries, or electrical appliances, all of which were present in the area of origin. However, investigators found no evidence that the fire was intentionally set.
“About 80 percent of home fires start in the kitchen,” said State Fire Marshal Davin. “While we don't know exactly what caused this fire, we do know that implementing a home evacuation plan can reduce the risk of injury or further damage. If possible, get you and your family out of your home. Make sure you have two ways to exit and two ways to exit each room. If you're on the ground floor, remember that one exit could be a window.”
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