Officials release name of man killed in tragic Taunton accident

The man who was electrocuted to death last Thursday while trying to remove an antenna from a Danforth Street home in Taunton has been identified by officials.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the preliminary investigation into a Taunton fatality last Thursday morning suggests that an accidental electrical event claimed the life of 58-year-old Michael Messina, of North Easton and ignited a fire at an apartment building, said Taunton Fire Chief Timothy J. Bradshaw, Taunton Police Chief Edward J. Walsh, State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III.

Investigators believe that Messina was removing an antenna from the three-story Danforth Street building at about 7:30 in the morning. The antenna made contact with a nearby power line, causing fatal injuries and igniting the exterior of the dwelling. Taunton firefighters responded a short time later and quickly extinguished the fire with no other injuries reported.

The incident remains under investigation by the Taunton Fire Department, Taunton Police Department, and State Police assigned to the offices of the State Fire Marshal and Bristol District Attorney. Foul play is not suspected.