From press release materials
A fire in a multi-family home claimed the lives of two older adults early Christmas morning, injuring one adult and displacing all other residents, said Acushnet Fire Chief Thomas Farland, Acushnet Police Chief Thomas Carreau, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.
“On behalf of the Acushnet Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ family and loved ones,” said Chief Farland. “This is a heartbreaking day for them and our community.”
The Acushnet Fire Department and Acushnet Police responded to 34 Garfield Street following multiple 911 calls at about 1:50 a.m. on 12/25/24. On arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames and learned that three people were unaccounted for. One resident escaped safely after a neighbor who saw the fire pounded on his door. Another resident was later determined to be out of the country.
Firefighters immediately began attacking the fire, which had caused a partial collapse of the roof and major structural damage to the two and a half story home. They made entry and located two residents deceased inside. Firefighters battled the flames for about an hour before bringing it under control. One firefighter was transported for evaluation but is expected to recover.
The victims were identified as 89-year-old Leo Lyonnais and 87-year-old Annette Lyonnais.
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Acushnet Fire Department, Acushnet Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office. They are assisted by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit.
Witnesses and first responders reported that they did not hear smoke alarms sounding when they arrived, investigators said.
“Our hearts go out to the family at a time of such terrible loss,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “We’ve seen too many tragedies this year. Please, if you do one thing today, talk to the people you care about and be sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of their homes.”
The Fairhaven Fire Department provided mutual aid along with Mattapoisett EMS, and Providence Canteen supported personnel at the scene.
Investigators returned to the scene, identifying the front left corner of the first floor as the area of origin. After delayering this area, they found a wood stove and a wall outlet with a multiple-prong adapter plugged in. Either of these factors could have contributed to the fire, officials said
Under the standard used by State Police fire investigators, the cause of a fire is undetermined when they are unable to rule out all but one potential factor. For this reason, the Garfield Street fire will remain undetermined but not suspicious pending any new information.
“All of us here at the Acushnet Fire Department again want to offer our condolences to the Lyonnais family,” said Chief Farland.
State Fire Marshal Davine said that electrical and heating fires are among the most common types of residential fires in Massachusetts. Last year, solid fuel heating equipment such as fireplaces, wood stoves, and chimneys contributed to 541 house fires, while electrical events contributed to 682.
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