Authorities in Massachusetts are investigating a fire that killed a man at a Newton apartment complex, officials said. Newton Fire Chief Greg Gentile said the department first started receiving calls about a house fire at 1243 Walnut Street, at the corner of Walnut Street. Around 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Walnut and Boylston streets. Gentile said the first 911 call came from an off-duty Boston firefighter who saw the burning building as he drove past on Route 9. Gentile, who was among the first Newton firefighters to arrive, said they saw heavy flames coming from the first floor of the two-family home. The fire chief also said first responders were told there may be someone still inside the burning home. Gentile said Newton firefighters conducted an active attack and primary search and during that search found the male victim on the first floor. Firefighters removed the man from the home and he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Friends of the victim told News Center 5's Ted Wayman that the man who died in Sunday's fire was 69-year-old Scott Patz. Patz's wife was able to make it out of the fire safely. “She was unexpected. She's doing the best she can. She's a very sweet woman and we're all rooting for her,” said Nicole McCray, a friend of the Patz family. . This fire is the third fatal fire in Newton since December 2023. “This is obviously a tough morning, a tough morning for everyone involved,” Gentile said. “We're going to make sure everyone has the resources they need.” The State Fire Marshal's Office said one firefighter's dispatch gear was damaged by the heat and flames he encountered while removing victims from a burning building. He said he suffered severe thermal damage. Gentile said they found no one else inside the home and that all other residents were able to get out on their own. Newton firefighters were able to rescue the cat from the home and brought the fire under control within about 30 minutes, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office. The cause and origin of the fire is being investigated by members of the Massachusetts State Police, Newton Police Department and Newton Fire Investigation Division, attached to the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. The state fire marshal's office said the fire does not appear to be suspicious. Related article:
Authorities in Massachusetts are investigating a fire that killed a man at a Newton apartment complex, officials said.
Newton Fire Chief Greg Gentile said the department first began receiving calls about a house fire at 1243 Walnut Street, at the corner of Walnut and Boylston streets, around 8:30 a.m. Sunday. It is said that
Gentile said the first 911 call came from an off-duty Boston firefighter who saw the burning duplex while driving on Route 9.
Newton firefighters were the first to arrive on the scene and saw heavy flames coming from the first floor of the duplex, Gentile said. The fire chief also said first responders were told there may be someone still inside the burning home.
Gentile said Newton firefighters conducted an active attack and primary search and during that search found a male victim on the first floor. Firefighters removed the man from the home and he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Friends of the victim told News Center 5's Ted Wayman that the man who died in Sunday's fire was 69-year-old Scott Patz. Patz's wife was able to escape safely from the fire.
“It was unexpected. She's doing the best she can. She's a very sweet woman and we're all rooting for her,” said Nicole McCray, a friend of Patz's family.
Sunday's fire was the third deadly fire in Newton since December 2023.
“This is obviously a tough morning and a tough morning for everyone involved,” Gentile said. “We will make sure everyone has the resources they need.”
The State Fire Marshal's Office said one firefighter's dispatch equipment suffered significant heat damage from the heat and flames encountered while rescuing victims from the burning building.
Newton firefighters found no one else inside the home and learned that all other residents were able to get out on their own, Gentile said.
Newton firefighters rescued the cat from the home and had the fire under control within about 30 minutes, the State Fire Marshal's Office said.
The cause and origin of the fire is being investigated by members of the Massachusetts State Police, Newton Police Department and Newton Fire Investigation Division, attached to the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. The state fire marshal's office said the fire does not appear to be suspicious.