LOWELL, Mass. — Investigators in Lowell have determined the “most likely cause” of a fire in Lowell that killed a 4-year-old girl was “improper disposal of smoking materials” on a first-floor exterior porch.
“On behalf of the men and women of the Lowell Fire Department, I want to extend our continued heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of this innocent child,” said Lowell Fire Chief Phillip Charron. “They haven’t left our thoughts for a moment since that tragic day two weeks ago.”
The girl, Pietra Emanuelle Silva Araujo had just moved to Lowell from her home in Valaderes, Brazil last summer, according to an obituary posted by The McDonough Funeral Home. She was at a daycare at the building.
The three-alarm fire happened on March 3 at 27-29 Maude Street.
Firefighters faced heavy smoke and flames and immediately began rescuing occupants, including three children, from a third-floor porch
“A Portuguese-speaking firefighter in the first responding company was able to communicate with residents during these crucial first few minutes and learned that a young child was unaccounted for,” according to a statement from fire investigators. “She was later located within the residence and had passed away.”
A second person, an adult, was injured
“Based on an examination of the scene, witness interviews, video footage, and other evidence, investigators identified a shared first-floor porch at the rear of the building as the fire’s point of origin and recovered abundant evidence of cigarette butts in this area,” according to investigators. “They found no evidence of criminal conduct or an intentional act but could not conclusively establish the cause in light of the extensive damage and shared nature of the ground-floor porch in a multi-resident dwelling.”
“Smoking materials cause more residential fire deaths than all other known causes combined,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “As we head into spring, we’re urging everyone to please be careful with any open flame or burning object on exterior porches, balconies, and stairways. We know this building had working smoke alarms inside, but a fire on the outside of a building can grow undetected until it’s too late, putting everyone at risk.”
Fire officials are urging smokers to use caution when extinguishing cigarettes and other materials.
“Dropping butts in planters, grinding them on railings, or flicking them along the side of a building can ignite dry leaves, mulch, and other flammable materials,” the said.
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