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Woman in her 60s found dead after fire in Yarmouth
Investigators said the fire was likely started by smoking materials.
A woman in her 60s was found dead Tuesday night following a fire in her Yarmouth residence, according to officials.
The Yarmouth Fire Department responded around 9:50 p.m. to a medical alert activation in the area of 115 Route 28, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office. At the scene, they found the woman, dead, and signs of a fire that went out on its own.
Investigators determined the fire was accidental and started with smoking materials, the Fire Marshal’s office said.
“First and foremost, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family,” said Yarmouth Fire Chief Enrique Arrascue said in a statement. “I also want to remind everyone in our community that smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts and the nation. Older adults are especially at risk. If you or a loved one smoke, please use a heavy ashtray on a sturdy surface and be sure to put it out, all the way, every time.”
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State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a statement that in the last five years, about 45 Massachusetts residents have died in fires that were caused by smoking materials, with more than half of the deaths were people over the age of 65.
“There is no truly safe way to smoke, but if you must do it then please don’t smoke when you’re in bed, drowsy, or impaired,” Davine said. “It’s just too dangerous.”
According to officials, the woman had limited mobility and was the only occupant of the studio residence. The exact cause of her death will be determined by the medical examiner.
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