Cooking Fire Blamed For Killing Man, Injuring 2 Western Mass Firefighters

State fire investigators said the fire that killed a Western Mass man on Friday, April 7, was a cooking fire that got out of hand.

An older man died and two firefighters were injured in a cooking fire at 19 Donlee St. on Friday, April 7, the state fire marshal said.
Photo Credit: *Holyoke Police Department*

Josh Lanier

04/08/2023 12:24 p.m.

Holyoke firefighters were called to the 19 Donlee St. home just after 1:15 p.m. High winds fueled the flames inside the two-story house and kept fire crews at bay for 30 minutes as they tried to beat back the conflagration, the state fire marshal said.

They found the older man dead inside the home once firefighters got in. Officials have not released his name.

Two firefighters received non-life-threatening injuries in the blaze.

“This is a sad time for the victim’s loved ones and our community,” said Chief John Kadlewicz. “I want to offer the family our heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Holyoke Fire Department. Because many families may be sharing meals together this Easter weekend, I also want to remind everyone to stay safe in the kitchen. Stand by your pan when cooking on the stovetop, keep food packaging and other flammable items away from hot surfaces, and never try to move a burning pan or douse it with water. Instead, cover it with a lid or cookie sheet to smother the flames.”

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