On Monday, Massachusetts fire officials released their investigation into a fatal fire that took place late last year.
The Needham Fire Department responded to 28 Woodworth Road shortly before 5:00 am on December 24th. On arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the three-story, single-family home. The first responding personnel attempted entry but were pushed back by the raging fire, which quickly spread throughout the structure and caused catastrophic damage.
Two adult occupants were able to escape. A third, 21-year-old Kayla Corrigan, was later located deceased inside.
The fire drew a four-alarm response, with about 75 firefighters from across the region battling the flames for more than seven hours before bringing it under control.
Based on an examination of the scene, the Needham Fire Department, Needham Police Department, State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and State Police assigned to the Norfolk DA’s office believe the fire began in the rightmost of three bays inside the attached garage at 28 Woodworth Street. From witness interviews, they learned that power tools, ignitable liquids, and other items were stored in this area. They located the remains of lithium-ion batteries and an electrical outlet with a power strip nearby. They found no evidence of an intentionally set fire.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921, Guide for Fire & Explosions Investigations, provides an internationally recognized framework for developing evidence-based opinions on origin, cause, and other facets of fire investigation. It recommends that fire investigators consider a fire cause undetermined “in circumstances where … two or more hypotheses cannot be rejected.” For these reasons, investigators have classified the cause of the fire as undetermined with multiple possible ignition sources, all of which were clearly accidental.
The investigation into its origin and cause took longer than usual to follow up because officials wanted to ensure the family had all the relevant investigative materials before they appeared in the media.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was created for the family of Corrigan who was a student at Syracuse University in New York.
“Words cannot express the depth of our grief or the shock of this loss. Kayla was a beautiful 21-year-old girl who was deeply loved by many. Her absence has left a space that can never be filled. We will carry her memory with us always.”
According to Syracuse University, “Kayla was a senior in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management from Needham, Massachusetts, preparing to graduate this spring with a degree in marketing management. Kayla immersed herself into internships strengthening her understanding of navigating marketing decisions in an evolving global landscape. Outside of the classroom she was an active member of Sigma Delta Tau.”
The fire departments of Boston, Brookline, Dedham, Natick, Newton, Norwood, Milton, Wellesley, and Westwood provided mutual aid. The Boston Sparks Association provided food and beverages to personnel at the scene, and the Department of Fire Services provided a Rehab unit to support firefighter health and safety.
