Fire at Easthampton home displaces family of 6

By EMILY THURLOW

Staff Writer

Published: 05-16-2023 1:36 PM

EASTHAMPTON — Investigators have ruled that the cause of a Monday morning fire that set a Riley Street garage and home ablaze and displaced a family of six is “undetermined.”

Though the case will remain open, Easthampton Fire Chief Christopher Norris said investigators from his department and the state Fire Marshal’s Office could not rule out improper disposal of smoking materials or electrical as a cause at this time.

The city’s Public Safety Complex received numerous calls reporting the structure fire at 5 Riley St. around 3:30 a.m. When emergency personnel arrived, the garage attached to the single-story ranch home was engulfed in flames and had spread to the house as well as two vehicles parked in front of the garage, said Norris.

“The fire spread very quickly,” said Norris. “One of the challenges firefighters faced was the field load in the garage area. There were several combustible materials in the area — single liquids, a sofa, a lawn mower and a snow blower.”

The family of six was able to escape the fire without injury after being alerted to the fire by the family’s 14-year-old child. The family is currently staying with family nearby, said Norris.

The family also had two cats and while one was able to exit without injury, the other died as a result of smoke inhalation.

“The occupants of the home should be commended for safely exiting the building and not going back inside. Fire can double in size every 30 seconds and trap people if they try going back in,” he said.

Norris also commended the city’s Police Department helping to ensure all occupants were out of the house and accounted for, and for alerting neighbors to ensure their safety.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Smith students occupy admin building, demand divestment from weapons manufacturers
A ‘hub’ blueprint begins: City kicks off planning for new Resilience Hub downtown
Ex-super, medical director of Soldiers’ Home change pleas, upsetting some families of 76 who died during pandemic
Area property deed transfers, March 28
Valley Art Supplies finds right mix by adding bar to longtime Easthampton business
Three candidates in running for Amherst superintendent

Eversource Gas & Electric was called in to secure all utilities and the State Fire Marshal’s Office from the Department of Fire Services was requested to assist with the investigation.

The fire destroyed the garage, but as of Monday afternoon, Norris said the city’s building inspector was still evaluating the extent of the home’s structural damage. Two of the three vehicles parked at the address sustained extensive damage. The property is owned by Donald Light, according to the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds.

Norris said firefighters did not find any evidence of working smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors.

“It is so important that people check to make sure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. All of this life safety equipment helps provide advanced notification to safely escape a home in the event of an emergency,” he said.

A GoFundMe fundraiser started by Jessica Souza, who identifies herself as the sister to one of the homeowners, was started Monday morning. Within eight hours, the fundraiser had raised $2,270 for the family.

“We are so grateful, so fortunate that everyone is safe, but they’re going to need to completely start from scratch. The last thing I want them worried about is missing work or how they’re going to do it all,” Souza wrote on the fundraiser’s page. “They’re an amazing family, and we just want to help them anyway we can.”

Easthampton firefighters received mutual aid assistance from Southampton Fire Department, Barnes Air National Guard, Westover Air Force Base, Northampton Fire Rescue, Holyoke Fire Department, South Hadley Fire District 1 Fire Department, and the Easthampton Community Emergency Response Team.

Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.]]>