Improperly disposed smoking materials likely caused the death of a Newton man when a fire ravaged his home on March 24, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine’s office announced.
Scott Patz, 69, died after a fire engulfed his home at 1243 Walnut St., Davine’s office said in a statement. Another person who was injured was able to drive themself to the hospital.
The Newton Fire Department responded to the fire at the address at around 8:30 a.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls, the Fire Marshal’s Office said in a press release Sunday afternoon. When they arrived at the home, firefighters saw flames coming from the first-floor windows and learned that one person was still inside.
Firefighters soon entered the home through the front and found Patz inside, Davine’s office said. Video and photos of the fire show smoke pouring out of the home’s windows, especially on the first floor. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in about 30 minutes.
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Investigators believe the fire began near the living room couch, caused by smoking materials, the fire marshal’s office said.
“Mr. Patz and his loved ones remain in our thoughts at the Newton Fire Department and across our city,” Newton Fire Chief Gregory Gentile said in the statement. “We also want to remind our residents that more than 100 Massachusetts residents have lost their lives in smoking fires over the past 10 years, and hundreds more have been injured or lost their homes. If you must smoke, or if you have guests who do, it’s important to use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and fully extinguish your smoking materials. Put it out, all the way, every time.”
Along with the smoking materials, investigators found that the home did not have working smoke alarms.
“Every family should have working smoke alarms on every level of their home,” Davine said in his statement. “A house fire can become deadly in less than three minutes. Smoke alarms can give you the warning you need to get out quickly, especially when you’re sleeping. Test them every month to be sure your family is protected, and practice an escape route so you know where to go when you hear them activate. No property is worth your life — get out and stay out when you hear the smoke alarm sounding.”