Cause of Fatal Shrewsbury Fire Found to be Electrical

The cause of a fire last week which killed an elderly man has been ruled to be electrical in nature. 

In a statement released Monday by State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan and Shrewsbury Fire Chief James Vuona, the fire started in a first floor bedroom of the one-family home on Artemas Avenue, in the area where an electric space heater, an electric blanket and extension cords were plugged into an outlet.

The fire claimed the life of 82-year-old Richard Hosking. His wife was also injured in the fire before being rescued.

“Electrical continues to be one of the leading causes of fatal fires, especially those that affect our seniors,” Coan said in a statement released Monday. “People over 65 account for one-third of the fire deaths each year in Massachusetts.”

The fire investigation revealed smoke alarms in the house weren’t operable. One had no battery, and the battery was dead in another. There were also no carbon monoxide alarms in the home.

“This fire is a great tragedy not only for the Hosking family, but for the entire Shrewsbury community.” Chief Vuona said in the statement. “This fire reminds us to check on our elderly neighbors, friends and family and make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working as we head into winter.”