A house fire claimed the life of Jacqueline H. Doherty, 62, in Athol, Massachusetts. The devastating blaze tore through a Fern Street residence last week, causing the second floor to collapse, according to NBC Boston. Horrifyingly, the tragedy was the result of an accident related to a gas stove in the home.
As the town mourns the loss of Doherty, who had been an active member of her church and neighborhood, Town Manager Shaun Suhoski and Athol Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera expressed their condolences to her loved ones.
The exact cause of the fire was a gas stove with a slightly turned-on knob, as stated by local and state officials. A staggering 80% of residential fires in Massachusetts begin with cooking equipment, as reported by The Recorder. Fire Chief Guarnera urged residents to exercise extra caution when using cooking appliances, stressing the importance of swiftly evacuating and calling emergency services in case of such fires.
Trying diligently to contain the fire, around 40 firefighters were engaged in a desperate race against time, as flames engulfed the Fern Street home. It took them more than an hour to fully extinguish the blaze, as reported by NBC Boston. The fire remained under investigation at the time of reporting.
Another victim of the fire was admitted to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to recover. Tragically, two cats also lost their lives in the fire.
