QUINCY, Mass. — A man found dead in a vehicle early on Christmas Eve in Quincy may have died of smoke inhalation after blankets caught fire in the minivan where he was sleeping, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Monday.
The unidentified man, who was in his 30s, was found unresponsive by a friend at about 6:30 a.m. on Dec. 24, Morrissey said. He was inside a minivan parked in the area of 45 Morrison St. in Quincy and declared dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation found that the man is believed to have been homeless and sleeping in the minivan.
Investigators found heavy smoke damage and minor fire damage to the interior of the minivan, including burned blankets. The fire appeared to have self-extinguished; while its exact cause is undetermined, investigators recovered cigarette butts in the same area.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of his death, Morrissey said.
The death is being investigated by State Police assigned to Morrissey’s office, Quincy Police, and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
The man found dead inside the minivan in Quincy is the third person without a home to die as a result of fire this year, Morrissey said. A woman died in Somerville on Dec. 19, and another woman died in Millbury on Oct. 26.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
©2024 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
