By Ron Ayotte and Laura Hayes
MARLBOROUGH – A fatal fire in a Marlborough home is under investigation.
According to a press release from Fire Chief Kevin Breen, Police Chief David Giorgi, Fire Marshal Jon Davine and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, the fire department responded to 66 Nolan Way at 8:23 a.m. May 22.
When the firefighters arrived, the home was “well involved” and there was fire venting from the back left corner of the house.
“As we came out of the rear driveway of Station 3 and came up over the rise by the former Wildwood Restaurant, a heavy column of smoke was visible. We knew we had a job,” said Captain of Engine 3 on Group 3, Captain Danny Martins.
Battalion Chief Ken MacEwen ( Car 5) struck the box for the working fire while enroute from Fire Headquarters. Engine 1, Engine 2, Squad 1, Rescue 1, Truck 1 responded on the working fire along with Cars 1, 2 and 3.
The fire department entered to attack the fire and search for occupants.
The firefighters of Engine 3 pulled an attack line and darkened down the fire from the outside before entering the structure in what is known in the fire service as a “transitional fire attack.” Engine 1, Rescue 1, Truck 1 arrived on scene, with Engine 2 and Squad 1 designated as the Rapid Intervention Company. Rescue 1 did a primary search while Truck 1 set up the aerial to ventilate the roof. Engine 1’s crew, led by Lieutenant Omar Torres pulled an attack line off of Engine 1 and proceeded to the second floor.
Firefighters from Marlborough Rescue 1 located one adult, who was deceased, on the second floor.
According to the release, the majority of the fire was knocked down in approximately 15 minutes, and it was under control within half an hour.
The investigators believe the fire originated in the living room on the first floor. However, the exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
“It was a textbook transitional fire attack, unfortunately, a resident died as a result of the fire. Mutual aid to the scene was necessary for manpower due to the temperature,” said MacEwen.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of the victim’s death. Another resident has been displaced. The house was deemed uninhabitable with heavy fire and smoke damage.
“On behalf of the Marlborough Fire Department, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family that lost a loved one this morning,” said Breen.
Hudson and Southborough Fire Departments provided mutual aid, and Northborough provided station coverage.
