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The first fire was reported on Farmland Road in Lowell on March 16. Investigators say the blaze began in the back left corner of the second floor near a bed.
Charles Bearden, 56, died in the blaze, and an unidentified person was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Lowell Fire Chief Phillip A.J. Charron said anyone who smokes should take precautions.
I again want to express our sorrow for Mr. Bearden’s passing and recognize the loss his family has suffered. For the rest of our community, I want to emphasize that there’s no truly safe way to smoke, but it’s especially dangerous to smoke when you’re drowsy or impaired. Smoking materials are the 1 cause of fatal fires nationwide. For your safety and the safety of your family, please don’t risk a fire – especially in bed, when you’re least able to react.
Scott Patz, 69, of Newton, was identified as the man who was killed in a Newton house fire on Sunday, March 24 at a home on 1243 Walnut Street. The home was a duplex. Two people escaped without injury but another person received non-life-threatening injuries in the blaze.
Investigators say that blaze began when smoking materials set a living room couch on fire.
Fire officials said smokers should use heavy ashtrays with sand or water that will put out the embers effectively.
Firefighters said these deadly fires should stand as a reminder for families to have working smoke detectors on every floor of their homes.
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