A blaze tearing through a Newton home early this morning has left one person dead and a community reeling from its third such tragedy in four months, as confirmed by city officials. In a united expression of sorrow, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Fire Chief Gregory J. Gentile stated, "Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one today."
The inferno, which erupted at 1243 Walnut St., drew an immediate response from the Newton Fire Department after 9-1-1 calls were received around 8:30 a.m., firefighters arrived to find the first floor consumed by flames, despite battling the fire which was brought under control within about half an hour one man could not be saved. According to a press release, the unfortunate victim was discovered on the first floor and pronounced dead at the scene while another occupant managed to escape unharmed and additional residents from the second unit also fled safely; firefighters successfully rescued a cat as well.
In the wake of the fatal incident, Mayor Fuller and Chief Gentile reinforced the critical importance of working smoke alarms in every home, urging residents, "If you hear those alarms sound, please — get out, stay out, and close the doors on the way out." The urgency of their message underscored by the somber frequency of such fires in recent memory.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is in full swing, with personnel from the Newton Fire and Police Departments, State Police fire investigators attached to the State Fire Marshal's office, and State Police under the purview of the Middlesex District Attorney’s office sifting through the remains. Assisting them, the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit closely examines the scene, which at present reveals no signs of foul play, but an official cause is yet to surface.
