Waltham Fatal Fire Update
State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, Waltham Fire Chief Paul J. Ciccone, and Waltham Police Chief Keith MacPherson have concluded their joint investigation into the February 16, 2015 fatal fire at 67 Ash Street, Waltham.
The fire took the life of 49 year-old Eric Miller and his 75-year old mother Elizabeth Miller.
Investigators have ruled out arson, cooking, heating and electrical as possible causes of the fire that started in Mr. Miller’s second floor bedroom. He was known to be a heavy smoker and investigators cannot rule out the improper disposal of smoking materials as a possible cause. However, despite eliminating several possible ignition scenarios, investigators could not pinpoint a definitive cause.
Chief Ciccone said, “My heart goes out to the family and friends of the Millers. Fire is a terrible way to lose those we love. During this difficult weather, I ask each landlord, tenant, and homeowner to make sure that every smoke alarm is working. In a fire seconds count and you may have less than two minutes to get out once the smoke alarm sounds of danger.”
State Fire Marshal Coan said, “The winter of 2015 has been a difficult one. There have been nine fire deaths so far. Fire departments are responding under difficult conditions such as bitter cold, narrow streets, buried fire hydrants. With more snow coming, please adopt the hydrant nearest you and continue to shovel it out.”
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan added, “Tragedies such as this are a reminder to all of us to review our safety precautions for our own households: are space heaters being used properly, are batteries still good in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, are electrical cords unencumbered by other objects, and are exits unblocked so in the event of an emergency, everyone can get out by every available door?”
The fire was jointly investigated by the Waltham Fire Department, Waltham Police Department and State Police assigned to both the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan. Assistance was received from an electrical expert and the Code Compliance Unit of the Department of Fire Services’ Fire Safety Division.