Tragic circumstances led to the discovery of a man found dead early on Christmas Eve in Quincy, marking a sobering incident amid the holiday season. The individual, in his 30s, was located unresponsive in a minivan at approximately 6:30 a.m. on December 24, in the vicinity of 45 Morrison St. According to a press release by the Department of Fire Services, the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Along with the Quincy Police Department and State Police fire investigators, the dismal scene showcased the minivan's interior, which suffered heavy smoke and minor fire damage, specifically to blankets that caught fire. Recovered cigarette butts near the blankets pointed to a potential cause, suggesting a smoking fire as the tragic culprit in this unattended death. In his preliminary findings, Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey and others are considering that the smoke inhalation from the blankets, which appeared to have self-extinguished, may have been the cause of the man's death.
The man, believed to have been homeless and sleeping in the vehicle at the time, now represents the third such fatality this year tied to fires among the homeless. Relaying the severity of these incidents, the loss followed a woman who died on December 19 in Somerville and another on October 26 in Millbury. Each case underscores the heightened vulnerabilities faced by individuals without shelter.
State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office continues to work in conjunction with the State Fire Marshal's office to officially determine the cause and manner of the deceased man's death. The release noted that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner would conduct an examination to bring clarity to the heartbreaking event.
