Local News Authorities warn public against smoking while on oxygen after fatal Plainville fire Fire authorities said the fire that killed one in Plainville on Friday was likely caused by smoking materials and home oxygen.
Authorities are warning the public to not smoke around or while on medical oxygen after a fatal fire in Plainville.
The Department of Fire Services said investigators determined the fire, which killed one person, was likely caused by a combination of stray smoking materials and home oxygen equipment.
Plainville firefighters responded to a fire at 61 School St., a single-family home, on Dec. 13, the department said in a social media post. Firefighters encountered “heavy fire conditions” at the scene and rushed into the home to extinguish the blaze, the post said.
Once inside the home, the post said, firefighters located Mark Beyersdorfer, the the sole occupant of the house. Beyersdorfer, 68, was unable to escape the fire and suffered fatal injuries, according to the department.
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Investigators from multiple local authorities found smoking materials and medical oxygen equipment at the site of the fire, the Department of Fire Services said.
Six Massachusetts residents have died in home fires caused by smoking on home oxygen in the last five years, DFS said. This fire, according to State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, is the fourth one this month involving home oxygen.
“If you or a loved one use home oxygen, please use extra caution with open flames or heat sources,” Davine said in the statement. “Any fire will burn hotter and grow faster in an oxygen-rich environment.”
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Plainville Fire Chief Robert Skinner also urged residents to be wary of smoking around home oxygen, saying there is “no safe way” to smoke, especially while on oxygen.
Eva Levin Eva Levin is a general assignment co-op for Boston.com. She covers breaking and local news in Boston and beyond.
Fatal Plainville fire likely caused by smoking while on home oxygen
