Causes
Former Town Building Inspector among victims in fatal Acushnet fire as fundraiser created
ACUSHNET — A couple died in a Christmas Day fire and a fundraiser has been created for one of the surviviors.
“On behalf of the Acushnet Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ family and loved ones,” said Fire Chief Thomas Farland. “This is a heartbreaking day for them and our community.”
The Acushnet Fire Department and Acushnet Police responded to 34 Garfield St. following multiple 9-1-1 calls at about 1:50 Wednesday morning. On arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames and learned that three people were unaccounted for. One resident escaped safely after a neighbor who saw the fire pounded on his door. Another resident was later determined to be out of the country.
Firefighters immediately began attacking the fire, which had caused a partial collapse of the roof and major structural damage to the two and a half story home. They made entry and located two residents deceased inside. Firefighters battled the flames for about an hour before bringing it under control. One firefighter was transported for evaluation but is expected to recover.
Former Town Building Inspector, 89-year-old Leo Lyonnais and his 87-year-old wife Annette Lyonnais died in the blaze. The office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a formal identification procedure and determine the cause and manner of their deaths.
Investigators today returned to the scene of the Christmas morning fire that claimed the lives of former Town Building Inspector 89-year-old Leo Lyonnais and 87-year-old Annette Lyonnais, identifying the front left corner of the first floor as the area of origin. After delayering this area, they found a wood stove and a wall outlet with a multiple-prong adapter plugged in. Either of these factors could have contributed to the fire, officials said.
Under the standard used by State Police fire investigators, the cause of a fire is undetermined when they are unable to rule out all but one potential factor. For this reason, the Garfield Street fire will remain undetermined but not suspicious pending any new information.
“All of us here at the Acushnet Fire Department again want to offer our condolences to the Lyonnais family,” said Chief Farland.
Witnesses and first responders reported that they did not hear smoke alarms sounding when they arrived, investigators said.
“Our hearts go out to the family at a time of such terrible loss,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “We’ve seen too many tragedies this year. Please, if you do one thing today, talk to the people you care about and be sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of their homes.”
The Fairhaven Fire Department provided mutual aid along with Mattapoisett EMS, and Providence Canteen supported personnel at the scene.
