An outdoor fire in Somerville that erupted yesterday has tragically culminated in the death of one individual, as reported by local officials. Somerville Fire Chief Charles Breen, Somerville Police Chief Shumeane Benford, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian T. Ryan confirmed the incident and the ongoing investigation surrounding the fiery outbreak which claimed a life near Alewife Brook Parkway.
The fire, which was first confronted by the Somerville Fire Department just after 4:00 p.m., rapidly consumed a small encampment situated in the wooded area adjacent to Broadway. Amidst the blaze firefighters discovered an unresponsive woman, who was thereafter pronounced dead, according to the official report. The intense flames, fueled by accumulated wood and debris were doused within 10 minutes, however, personnel remained active at the site for hours to ensure complete extinguishment of residual hot spots and facilitating the investigative measures.
In his remarks regarding the fatality, “This was a very sad event and our thoughts are with the victim right now,”Chief Breen told the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Access to the incident scene involved cutting through a chain-link fence, ensuring unobstructed entry for the responders. The investigation was a collaborative effort that included the Somerville, Police Department, State Police aligned with the State Fire Marshal's office, Middlesex District Attorney's office, and Troop A, who are scrutinizing several accident-prone ignition sources.
The identity of the deceased is to undergo formal verification by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which will also ascertain the causes underpinning the fatal outcome. State Fire Marshal Davine noted the fires similarity to an October incident in Millbury, where an open flame within close proximity to a tent led to a fire that resulted in another woman's death. The insights were shared in the statement released by the authorities. Meanwhile, the existing efforts were supported by the Somerville Auxiliary Fire Department’s Squad 1 and the Department of Conservation & Recreation staff.
