Officials urge to check smoke detectors as fire kills two, injures one in Avon

Deputy State Fire Marshal Maribel Fournier, Avon Fire Chief Robert Spurr and Avon Police Chief Jeffrey J. Bukunt said that a fire last night at 52 Freeman Street in Avon has tragically claimed two lives. The 2-alarm fire was reported at about 9 p.m. An older man was rescued by firefighters, revived and taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. A younger man died in the fire. A third person suffered burns.

Chief Spurr said, “This is a terrible tragedy for this family and I offer my heartfelt condolences.” He added, “I would ask everyone to protect their families by making sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.” There were no working smoke alarms found in the home. The only smoke alarm found had no battery.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but the focus is on an accidental cause. The fire is being jointly investigated by the Avon Fire and Police Departments and State Police assigned to both the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the Office of the Norfolk District Attorney. Information on the victims will come from the Office of Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey once the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has made a formal identification and the next of kin have been notified.