Massachusetts authorities are investigating a fire in a Newton duplex that left a man dead, according to officials.Newton Fire Chief Greg Gentile said the fire department first started receiving phone calls about a house fire at 1243 Walnut St., which is at the corner of Walnut and Boylston streets, at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday.According to Gentile, the first 911 call came from an off-duty Boston firefighter who saw the burning duplex as he passed it while driving on Route 9.The Newton firefighters who first arrived at the scene saw heavy flames coming from the first floor of the two-family home, Gentile said. The fire chief also said first responders were told that someone was potentially still inside the burning home.Gentile said Newton firefighters made an aggressive attack and primary search, and during that search, they found a male victim on the first floor. Firefighters removed that man from the home and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.Friends of the victim told NewsCenter 5 reporter Ted Wayman that 69-year-old Scott Patz was the man who died in Sunday’s fire. Patz’s wife was able to make it safely out of the fire.”It was unexpected. She’s doing the best that she can. She’s a very sweet woman and we all support her,” said Nicole McCray, a friend of the Patz family.Sunday’s fire marked the third fatal fire in Newton since December 2023.”This is obviously a tough morning, a tough morning for everyone involved,” Gentile said. “We’ll make sure everyone has the resources that they’re needed.”The State Fire Marshal’s Office said that one firefighter’s turnout gear sustained significant thermal damage from the heat and flames they encountered while removing the victim from the burning duplex.Newton firefighters found no one else inside the home and they learned that all other occupants were able to exit the house on their own, according to Gentile.The State Fire Marshal’s Office said Newton firefighters were able to rescue a cat from the home, and that they brought the fire under control within about 30 minutes. The cause and origin of the fire are being investigated by members of the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Newton Police Department and Newton Fire Investigation Unit. The State Fire Marshal’s Office did state the fire does not appear to be suspicious.Related story:
Massachusetts authorities are investigating a fire in a Newton duplex that left a man dead, according to officials.
Newton Fire Chief Greg Gentile said the fire department first started receiving phone calls about a house fire at 1243 Walnut St., which is at the corner of Walnut and Boylston streets, at about 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
According to Gentile, the first 911 call came from an off-duty Boston firefighter who saw the burning duplex as he passed it while driving on Route 9.
The Newton firefighters who first arrived at the scene saw heavy flames coming from the first floor of the two-family home, Gentile said. The fire chief also said first responders were told that someone was potentially still inside the burning home.
Gentile said Newton firefighters made an aggressive attack and primary search, and during that search, they found a male victim on the first floor. Firefighters removed that man from the home and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
Friends of the victim told NewsCenter 5 reporter Ted Wayman that 69-year-old Scott Patz was the man who died in Sunday’s fire. Patz’s wife was able to make it safely out of the fire.
“It was unexpected. She’s doing the best that she can. She’s a very sweet woman and we all support her,” said Nicole McCray, a friend of the Patz family.
Sunday’s fire marked the third fatal fire in Newton since December 2023.
“This is obviously a tough morning, a tough morning for everyone involved,” Gentile said. “We’ll make sure everyone has the resources that they’re needed.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office said that one firefighter’s turnout gear sustained significant thermal damage from the heat and flames they encountered while removing the victim from the burning duplex.
Newton firefighters found no one else inside the home and they learned that all other occupants were able to exit the house on their own, according to Gentile.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office said Newton firefighters were able to rescue a cat from the home, and that they brought the fire under control within about 30 minutes.
The cause and origin of the fire are being investigated by members of the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Newton Police Department and Newton Fire Investigation Unit. The State Fire Marshal’s Office did state the fire does not appear to be suspicious.
