A man died from injuries he sustained in a fire in Newton, Massachusetts, on Sunday morning, authorities have confirmed.
Firefighters were called to Walnut Street around 8:30 a.m.
The initial call was from an off-duty Boston firefighter who was driving down Route 9. When authorities arrived a couple of minutes later, they saw heavy fire on the first floor.
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Authorities were told one person was potentially still inside and tried to save him, but unfortunately he did not survive.
Firefighters entered the two-family duplex from the front, and encountered heavy flames and heat as they worked to get the man out. The man's injuries were fatal, and he was pronounced dead on scene, according to a news release from the state fire marshal's office.
Everyone else who lives in the home was able to exit on their own. Firefighters also rescued a cat from the home.
The fire was brought under control within around 30 minutes.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but so far, it does not appear to be suspicious. Preliminary evidence suggests that the cause was accidental, according to the fire marshal's news release.
A joint statement from Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Fire Chief Gregory Gentile noted that this was the third fatal fire in the city since December.
“Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one today,” said Mayor Fuller and Chief Gentile. "We want to urge all our residents to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home. And if you hear those alarms sound, please — get out, stay out, and close the doors on the way out.”
The man killed in Sunday's fire has not yet been identified publicly.
