Heavy fire in a two-family duplex in Newton tragically killed one man early Sunday, local and state officials announced in a release.
“Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one today,” said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Chief Gregory Gentile. “This is the third fatal fire in our community since December. We want to urge all our residents to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home. And if you hear those alarms sound, please — get out, stay out, and close the doors on the way out.”
At about 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning, the state Department of Fire Services release said, the Newton Fire Department responded to 911 calls to the duplex at 1243 Walnut St.
Responders found “heavy fire venting through the first floor windows” at the scene and learned that one person was still inside, the release said.
Firefighters entered the building through the front, locating an adult on the first floor. The man’s injuries were fatal, and he was pronounced dead on the scene, according to officials.
The man was not identified by the department Sunday afternoon.
One firefighter’s gear sustained significant thermal damage from the heat and flames during the recovery, the department said.
The other occupant of the unit escaped without serious injury, the release said, and multiple residents of the second unit also made their way out of the building. Firefighters rescued a cat inside.
The fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes, the release said.
The cause of the fire “does not appear suspicious, but the exact cause has not yet been determined,” the department said.
The Newton Fire and Police Departments, with state police and fire investigators, are actively investigating the origin and cause of the fire.