The fire originated in the first-floor bedroom of the single-family home and trapped residents in the second-floor bedroom.
GREENFIELD -- Improper disposal of smoking materials caused the fire Sept. 25 at 140 Meridian St. that took the lives of four Greenfield residents, including that of a 5-year-old boy.
Killed were of Brian Tower, 48, Florenda Tower, 49, her son, Raymond Wood, 28, and his son, William Paul Clark, 5.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey, Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, Greenfield Fire Chief Robert Strahan and Greenfield Police Chief Robert H. Haigh Jr. all announced Thursday afternoon results of the investigation.
According to their news release, the fire originated in the first-floor bedroom of the single-family home, trapping residents in the second-floor bedroom. Investigators have determined the cause of the fire was the improper disposal of smoking materials and have ruled out other possible causes.
The investigation also revealed that there were no working smoke alarms in the home.
"This fire that took four lives was a terrible tragedy," Ostroskey said. "Last winter we lost 31 people to fire and over half of them also had no working smoke alarms. I urge everyone as you get your home ready for winter, protect your family and make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level.
"This is fire prevention week and I ask everyone to check the date on their smoke alarms. Most only last 10 years before they need to be replaced. Consider purchasing alarms with 10-year, non-replaceable, non-rechargeable batteries that have a hush button feature to silence nuisance alarms. They'll be easier to maintain in good working order."
Sullivan said, "My deepest sympathy is with the family and loved ones. Our thoughts are with them."
"This fire has been very difficult for the community of Greenfield as well as the emergency services," Strahan said. "I offer my condolences to the Tower, Wood and Clark families."
Haigh said, "The Greenfield Police Department and their officers send their condolences to all those who were affected by this tragic event, and thank the community as a whole for their continued support for our local families and agencies."
Smoking was also blamed for a fatal fire in Chicopee last year. In October 2015, a fire started due to improper disposal of smoking materials at 82 Montcalm St., Chicopee.
Killed in the Chicopee fire were 87-year-old Bridgitte Nierbergall and 60-year-old Mark Boucher, Nierbergall's son. Three other adults were alerted by working smoke alarms and escaped unharmed, officials said.
Nationally, smoking is to blame in nearly 13 percent of all residential fires.
The National Fire Protection Association said upholstered furniture is most commonly the first material ignited by careless smoking. Mattresses and bedding and trash or other waste are also blamed in fatal smoking-related fires.
The National Fire Protection Association offers the following advice:
- If you smoke, smoke outside.
- Whenever you smoke, use deep, wide, sturdy ashtrays. Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like an end table.
- Before you throw out butts and ashes, make sure they are out. Dowsing in water or sand is the best way to do that.
- Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
- Smoking should not be allowed in a home where medical oxygen is used.
- To prevent a deadly cigarette fire, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.