Investigators Unable to Pinpoint Cause of Fatal Waltham Fire

Fire investigators reported Wednesday, Feb. 18 that they have been unable to determine the cause of a fatal fire in Waltham on Monday, Feb. 16 that took the lives of a 75-year-old woman and her son.

Elizabeth Miller, 75, and her son Eric Miller, 49, were inside their home at 67 Ash St. Monday morning when a fire started in Eric Miller’s second floor bedroom around 3 a.m.

Investigators from the Waltham Fire Department, Waltham Police Department and Massachusetts State Police ruled out cooking, arson, electrical and heating as possible causes for the fatal fire.

Although they could not pinpoint a cause, investigators said Eric Miller was known to be a heavy smoker and improperly disposed of smoking materials may have started the fire.

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of the Millers,” Waltham Fire Chief Paul J. Ciccone said in a press release. “Fire is a terrible way to lose those we love.”

Police said Elizabeth and Eric Miller’s deaths were the seventh and eighth fire deaths of 2015 in Massachusetts. That number has now risen to nine, according to Ciccone.

Ciccone and Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan urge Waltham residents and landlords to review their fire safety precautions during this dangerous winter.

This includes: checking smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for low batteries, helping to clear fire hydrants on your street, checking that electrical cords are safe and clear of other objects, making sure all available exits are unblocked and using space heaters properly.

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