Prominent Developer Among 2 Dead in Milton House Fire

MILTON, MA — Two people, including a prominent developer, were killed during the early morning hours at a fire in Milton.

Firefighters first responded to a report of a blaze on Elias Lane at 12:30 a.m. and found smoke and fire on the second floor upon arrival.

Two people were outside when crews arrived, with two more inside, according to the state's Fire Marshall's office. One person was removed from the house alive, but did not survive his injuries. Firefighters were unable to reach the second person.

The Norfolk District Attorney's office has identified the victims as 91-year-old Kenneth Guscott and 87-year-old Leroy Whitemore.

Guscott was a prominent developer in Roxbury and was the former head of the local chapter of the NAACP.

"I am shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of Ken Guscott. Ken served Boston and its people in so many ways - as a veteran, an advocate and a lifelong builder of a better city. His vision for Dudley Square and the transformation of Roxbury was bright and vibrant, and he pushed every day to create jobs, support business development and bring greater opportunity to the neighborhood. Boston has lost a true leader, and we will continue to work together to bring progress to all our neighborhoods in his memory," Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a statement.

According to town records, the home was built in 1994 and has a value of about $1.2 million.

Boston and Randolph assisted at the scene.

Firefighters are investigating the cause.