Latest news with #Davine
Los Angeles Times
22-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Smoking or oxygen machine may have caused deadly fire at Massachusetts assisted-living home
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey approaches a news conference on July 14, near the Gabriel House assisted-living facility, behind, following a fire in Fall River, Mass. A fire that killed 10 people at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility was unintentionally caused by either someone smoking or an electrical issue with an oxygen machine, investigators said Tuesday. The state's deadliest blaze in more than four decades has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents. So far, investigators have remained mum on the possibility of criminal charges related to the fire at Gabriel House in Fall River, and declined to answer when asked during a Tuesday press conference. The Massachusetts fire marshal, Jon Davine, said the presence of medical oxygen contributed to the fire's spread on the night of July 13. The blaze left some residents of the three-story building hanging out windows and screaming for help. Advertisement 'Please, there's truly no safe way to smoke. But smoking is especially dangerous when home oxygen is in use,' Davine told reporters on Tuesday. Investigators are still collecting evidence on numerous aspects of the case, including whether the facility's sprinkler system worked as it should, said Thomas Quinn, the district attorney for Bristol County. He told reporters there was no sign that electrical outlets, lights, heaters or cooking appliances sparked the fire. The blaze began in a studio apartment on the second floor of the facility, where investigators found the remains of smoking materials, a battery-powered scooter and an oxygen concentrator. It's hard to know exactly what happened, Davine said, because the person who lived in the room was among the victims of the fire. Advertisement Members of the local firefighter's union have said understaffing made it harder to respond to the blaze, and made the fire deadlier. Earlier Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the state was releasing $1.2 million to hire more emergency response personnel for the blue-collar city about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Boston. She said additional funds will be fast-tracked for the state's municipal public safety staffing program. 'We are here today to listen,' Healey said at a news conference, 'to make sure that we understand what this community needs now and moving forward in the wake of this tragedy.' Advertisement The district attorney's office identified the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, 70, on Monday. The victims of the fire ranged in age from 61 to 86. A state agency is doing a monthlong investigation into the 273 assisted-living facilities in Massachusetts to make sure they're ready to protect residents during emergencies, the governor said. Meanwhile, legal wrangling over who bears responsibility for the Gabriel House fire has already begun. A resident of Gabriel House filed a lawsuit Monday alleging the facility was not properly managed, staffed or maintained, and that 'emergency response procedures were not put in place.' Trapped in his room during the fire, Steven Oldrid was in an 'already compromised physical condition' when he suffered smoke inhalation and lost consciousness, according to the complaint. As a result, Oldrid says he has increased mobility restrictions and has racked up medical bills. George K. Regan Jr., a spokesperson for the facility owned by Dennis Etzkorn, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit. A phone message was also left with Oldrid's attorney. Advertisement Public injury law firm Morgan & Morgan also said last week it was hired to investigate the fire — including possible issues with staffing, training and safety equipment — by the family of a resident who died, spokesperson Emily Walsh said. Etzkorn says he is cooperating with investigations. Gabriel House issued a statement Monday emphasizing the importance of finding out 'exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse.' 'Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the fire suppression system — the latest as recently as five days prior to the fire,' the facility's spokesperson said. Kruesi and Whittle write for the Associated Press. Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. AP writer Leah Willingham in Boston contributed.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Beloved' retired Mass. cop ID'd after death from large fire destroys home
A 77-year-old man who died after he was pulled from a 'fast-moving' house fire on Washington Avenue in Revere has been identified, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon Davine's office said. Richard Serino 'was beloved in our community,' Acting Revere Fire Chief James E. Cullen said in a statement from Davine's office. "He served as a U.S. Marine and a Revere Police officer for many years, and his son is a Revere firefighter. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and many loved ones.' A passerby called 911 at around 4:39 p.m. on Tuesday after they saw a fire at the multi-family home, the statement read. Revere firefighters arrived and saw heavy smoke near the back end of the house. Firefighters entered the home and were able to find Serino and pull him out of the house. Serino was taken to CHA Everett Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Davine's office said. "Richie Serino was a community staple, who took pride in his home and his family,' Revere Mayor Patrick Keefe Jr. said in a statement. 'He comes from a lineage of Reverians with a rich history in public service, and we are grateful for his, and his family's, contributions to the betterment of our city. We will all miss driving by his legendary holiday decorations, of which he dedicated so much time and care." The Chelsea, Malden, Massport and Winthrop fire departments helped Revere firefighters in knocking down the flames, which happened in about 20 minutes, the statement read. The building was significantly damaged, leaving all of its residents displaced. The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fire officials urges proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries after recycling truck fire in Sunderland
SUNDERLAND, Mass. (WWLP) – Massachusetts fire officials are reminding residents of ways to properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries after a recycling truck fire in Sunderland. Last month, crews were called to a recycling truck fire on River Road in Sunderland. The Department of Fire Services said that the truck was collecting curbside recycling when the driver noticed the fire in the back of the truck. The driver called 911 and found a safe area to dump the burning contents, which is per their protocol. Jupiter Power lithium battery project in Westfield canceled over eco concerns The Sunderland Fire Department, with the help of the Sunderland Highway Department, was able to put the fire out and spread the recycling apart to be sure it was completely out. The cause, determined by the Department of Fire Services, was from lithium-ion batteries that were placed in a household's recycling bin. When it was collected by the truck, it was compacted, causing an uncontrolled increase in temperature inside the battery known as thermal runaway, resulting in a fire that spread quickly. Lithium-ion batteries can be found in many household items such as cell phones, laptops and tablets, watches, e-bikes, vape devices, electric vehicles, power tools, and many children's toys. Sunderland Chief Benjamin and State Fire Marshal Davine are reminding residents that these batteries should not be placed in the trash or household recycling. To properly dispose of lithium-ion batteries, they can be brought to a household hazardous waste collection site or a battery recycling center such as Staples, Home Depot, and Lowe's. To find a location near you, visit Lithium-Ion-BatteriesDownload WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dangerous TikTok trend sparks fires in laptops — and Mass. teens are trying it at school
More than a dozen teenagers in Massachusetts have tried a dangerous TikTok trend, prompting a warning from fire officials. The TikTok trend has teenagers inserting a paper clip, pencil lead, or other conductive object into a laptop computer's charging port or other port. This can cause a short circuit that increases the device's temperature or causes smoke, sparks, or a fire, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon Davine warned. At least 14 teenagers have attempted the trend in the past week but fire officials believe the number is higher. 'No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord,' said Davine. Most of the reported incidents were interrupted by teachers who spotted the abuse of school-issued laptops, fire officials said. The incidents occurred in Barnstable County, Essex County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Middlesex County, and Worcester County beginning on or about May 6. So far, only one minor injury has been reported but heavy smoke and device damage have been reported in some cases, officials said. 'Unfortunately, social media trends involving risky fire-related behavior are not new,' a press release stated. 'In 2020, numerous electrical fires and damage were reported after another challenge promoted dropping a coin onto the prongs of a power plug partially inserted into a wall outlet.' Lucky for Life winner: $25,000 a year for life prize won in Massachusetts University system of Northeast state recommends closing a third of its campuses It was labeled and looked like Adderall. But thousands of pills were meth and caffeine Superior Court judge denies city's request to dismiss portion of police officers wage theft lawsuit 32-year-old Sandwich man seriously injured in motorcycle crash Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Social media challenge involving laptop fires sparks warnings after incidents reported in Mass.
A social media challenge involving laptop fires has sparked concern among fire officials, who are urging parents and teachers to warn children about the serious dangers of tampering with the devices. Fourteen incidents and attempts have been reported in Massachusetts, but several more incidents have likely gone unreported, state Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a statement on Thursday. 'We've received more than a dozen reports from Massachusetts fire departments of young people engaging in this behavior in less than a week,' said Davine. Since around May 6, incidents have been reported in Barnstable, Essex, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcester counties. So far, only one minor injury has been reported, Davine said. Heavy smoke and device damage have been reported in other cases. Most of the reported incidents were interrupted by teachers who spotted the abuse of school-issued laptops, Davine said. Davine said the trend, which appears to have started on TikTok, promotes inserting a paper clip, pencil lead, or other conductive object into a laptop computer's charging port or other port. This can cause a short circuit that increases the device's temperature or causes smoke, sparks, or a fire – any of which could injure a young user, he said. 'There are probably many more that responsible adults haven't heard of or officially reported,' Davine said. 'No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord.' Davine said he has circulated a notice about the nationwide trend to local fire chiefs. Foxboro Fire Chief Michael Kelleher, president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, called the challenge 'dangerous' as laptops are typically powered by lithium-ion batteries. 'Today's electronic devices pack a lot of power into small containers, and tampering with them is dangerous,' Kelleher said. 'Almost all modern laptops are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can erupt in sparks and flames when damaged or abused. An event like that will injure anyone close by. The fire can easily spread to clothing, bedding, upholstery, and furniture.' Fire officials said unfortunately, social media trends involving risky fire-related behavior are not new. In 2020, numerous electrical fires and damage were reported after another challenge promoted dropping a coin onto the prongs of a power plug partially inserted into a wall outlet, Davine said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
