Burlington Man Identified as The Victim in Fatal Fire Incident

Update: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Fire Chief Michael Patterson, Chief of Police Michael Kent and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey have confirmed the identity of the victim in the fatal house fire in Burlington on January 9, 2020, as Kevin O’Brien, 61, of Burlington.

On January 9, at approximately 1:00 p.m., members of the Burlington Fire and Police Departments responded to Maryvale Road for a report of a house fire with people still inside. Upon arrival, first responders found heavy smoke coming from the windows of the home and flames coming from the front window. An elderly woman was rescued from the home by a FedEx driver and a neighbor was taken to a local hospital for treatment, along with a Burlington police officer. Firefighters attempted to locate a second resident inside but were unable to locate him due to the conditions. Firefighters continued working to knock down the flames, and a second alarm was struck early on in their attack on the fire. Firefighters later located Kevin O’Brien deceased inside. 

On January 10, 2020, the State Fire Marshal revealed that the cause of the fire was improper disposal of smoking materials. The fire started in the first-floor living room where the victim was found. A melted plastic bucket containing Pall Mall cigarette remnants was found near the couch. There was additional evidence of smoking materials found in the living room.

The incident was investigated by the Burlington Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the Middlesex County District Attorney.