Southeastern Massachusetts fire destroys home, claims life of 80-year-old man, pet

FOXBOROUGH — An early morning house fire claimed a Granite Street man’s life, said Foxborough Fire Chief Michael P. Kelleher, Foxborough Police Chief Michael A. Grace, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, and Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

“Our hearts go out to the family that lost a loved one this morning,” said Chief Kelleher. “This is a sad day for them and our community.”

The Foxborough Fire Department responded to 39 Granite Street just before 3:00 this morning after a Foxborough Police officer smelled smoke in the area while on patrol. Firefighters found the single-family home well involved on arrival, with flames venting through the windows. They immediately began to attack the fire on the ground and using an aerial ladder to gain access to the roof.

The 2½-story structure sustained major damage in the fire. During a careful search of the home, investigators located a man in his 80s who was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was the sole resident, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of his death. A dog also perished in the fire.

Firefighters knocked down the bulk of the fire in about an hour but are expected to remain at the scene through the afternoon. The fire departments of Mansfield and Plainville provided mutual aid on the fireground, while the Wrentham Fire Department provided station coverage. The Mansfield Emergency Management Agency supported firefighter health and safety in the bitter cold. The Brockton Fire Department’s Heavy Rescue assisted personnel at the scene due to structural damage.

The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the Foxborough Fire Department, Foxborough Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s office. They are supported by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit.

“This winter has been especially challenging for Massachusetts firefighters,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “Notwithstanding the bitter cold and heavy snow, they’ve confronted fatal fires in every region of the state. In too many cases, they found smoke alarms that weren’t working or no alarms at all. Please take a few minutes to be sure you and your loved ones are protected by working smoke alarms on every level of your home.”