Massachusetts son admits to setting house fire that killed both parents; described as a nice guy

A Massachusetts man has reportedly admitted to setting a blaze that left his parents dead.

According to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office, on Tuesday, 44-year-old Darius Hazard of 77 Francis Street, North Adams, was arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on one charge of arson in connection with a fatal fire in North Adams on Monday. The fire led to the death of Venture Hazard (76 years old) and Donald Hazard (83 years old).

The Defendant was also arrested for the murder of Venture Hazard and the murder of Donald Hazard. He will be arraigned on Wednesday morning, November 26th in connection to the murders. The arraignment will take place at Northern Berkshire District Court.

The Defendant was brought into custody Monday afternoon. He confessed that in the early morning hours of Monday, November 24th, he physically assaulted his parents, Venture and Donald Hazard, inside their home (77 Francis Street). Following the physical assault, the Defendant also confessed that he poured gasoline on the first floor of the home and set the house ablaze. The Defendant reported this took place between 3:00am and 4:00am. After allegedly setting the house aflame, the Defendant drove away from the house.

A 911 call was placed by a neighbor at approximately 7:11 a.m. reporting a possible structure fire at 77 Francis Street. North Adams Police were the first to arrive on the scene. An officer noted immense heat coming from the residence and attempted to make contact with individuals inside. The North Adams Fire Department arrived shortly after. Firefighters immediately entered the residence to locate the individuals inside the house and began fighting the fire. When firefighters located two individuals inside the residence they were both deceased. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death for both Venture and Donald Hazard was smoke inhalation.

While responding to the scene for the fire, law enforcement learned that a third individual, Darius Hazard, also resided in the house; however, he was not present at the scene and his car was missing. There was a dry spot in the driveway where the Defendant’s car was normally parked indicating that the Defendant was at the house somewhat recently (it had rained the prior evening). A ‘Be on the Look Out’ was issued for the Defendant and his vehicle. The Defendant was scheduled to arrive at work at 10:00am; however, he did not appear. Fellow employees noted this was extremely unusual as the Defendant was always prompt for his shift. At approximately 2:00pm, a State Police Detective observed a vehicle matching that of the Defendant’s traveling south on Route 7, North Adams. The vehicle had pulled into the Wal Mart parking lot, and the license plate number confirmed the vehicle belonged to the Defendant. At that point law enforcement approached the vehicle and brought Darius Hazard into custody without incident.

District Attorney Shugrue stated, “I’d first like to recognize the tremendous courage of the North Adams firefighters as they entered the house without hesitation in hopes of recovering the residents inside. Responding to this type of situation is harrowing and has lasting impacts on first responders. I am thankful for their dedication to this difficult work.”

Additionally, he added, “My thoughts are with the Hazard family and the North Adams community during this extraordinarily challenging time.”

Law enforcement response included the North Adams Police Department, the North Adams Fire Department; Northern Berkshire Emergency Medical Services; the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office; the Department of Fire Services; Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section; and the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab.

Those who knew Darius Hazard were shocked at the news describing him as one of the nicest people who often helped others.