Medical Oxygen Blamed for Fatal Quincy Fire

From the Department of Fire Servics:

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, Quincy Fire Chief Joseph Barron and Quincy Police Chief Paul Keenan said the February 12, 2017 fire at 13 Bell Street in Quincy was accidental. Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey’s office identified the victims as Thelma Powers, 67, and her 19-year old grandson William Powers. A third occupant survived jumping from his second floor bedroom window to escape the fire.
The fire started in the first floor living room of the single family home where one of the victims had experienced past fires falling asleep while smoking. The victim also used home medical oxygen and there were several cylinders in the room that failed during the fire. The release of the oxygen fueled the fire that raced up the stairwell trapping the second floor occupants. When oxygen is used in the home, the amount of oxygen in air, furniture, bedding, clothing and hair goes up, making it easier for a fire to start and spread. When more oxygen is in the air, fires burn hotter and faster.

State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said, “This is the second fatal fire this year most likely caused by smoking and fueled by home medical oxygen. There simply is no safe way to smoke around home oxygen. Turning off the oxygen is not enough because your clothes, hair, bedding and the tubing are oxygen-enriched.”

Fire Chief Joseph Barron said, “This was a terrible fire for this family and the extended community. Using medical oxygen at home is a growing practice and it is important to understand the fire safety risks that come with it for patients, their families, and caregivers.”

The fire was jointly investigated by the Quincy Fire and Police Departments, and State Police assigned to both the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Office of Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Assistance was received from the Code Compliance Unit of the Department of Fire Services and State Police Crime Scene Services. District Attorney Morrissey confirmed that at this time the deaths do not appear suspicious.

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