A man died after a fire in Melrose, Massachusetts, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The 101-year-old victim was identified as Sim Sujo by Middlesex District attorney Marian Ryan's office on Friday.
The fatal fire broke out at 85 Grove St., according to the Massachusetts Fire Marshal's Office.
Twelve-year-old Tyler Audet was walking home when he spotted the smoke and flames coming from the Melrose home.
“Tons of smoke pouring out of the window,” said Audet. “All of a sudden the window shatters and huge flames comes out if it.”
Audet called 911, while people passing by tried to make sure everyone was out.
“They were banging on the house,” said Audet.
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But it was too smoky to get inside.
When firefighters arrived, they found the woman dead on the kitchen floor.
She lived alone in the first floor apartment, and investigators say it appears something went wrong while she was preparing her dinner.
“That is what we think,” said Melrose Fire Captain John White. “She had a cooking accident.”
Investigators believe the Sujo tried to handle the situation herself, and may have tripped or fallen in the middle of the commotion.
“Everybody knows her,” said neighbor Ginny Beninati. “She’s with God.”
Investigators aren’t sure why Sujo passed away, whether it was from all the smoke and flames, or if she may have hit her head when she fell on the kitchen floor.
Nobody was home in the second-floor apartment at the time.
