Crime & Safety
Dudley Fatal Fire Considered Accidental: State Fire Marshal
The cause of a fire that killed a man in Dudley is officially undetermined, but is considered accidental.
WORCESTER COUNTY, MA—A fire that claimed the life of a man in Dudley has been considered accidental after an investigation.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Dudley Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski said the investigation into the April 23 fatal fire at 28 Raymond Street, Dudley, has concluded.
While the cause of the fire will remain officially undetermined, it is considered accidental.
The victim, whose name has not been released yet, is believed to have been living in a camper behind the single family home.
The fire started in the travel trailer and spread to the house. Investigators found no evidence of an intentionally-set fire, but did find evidence of smoking materials, use of home oxygen, and several propane tanks being used as heaters, said the fire marshal. Investigators could not rule out an electrical fire. Because there were several possible ignition sources, the fire will remain undetermined but accidental.
There was no evidence of smoke alarms inside the camper, and the four smoke alarms inside the home had no batteries and were not functional.
