Police are working to determine what happened to 81-year-old Doris Alzak before she was found dead inside her burning Phillips Avenue home Tuesday.
07/12/11- (Staff Photo by Dave Roback) Springfield police and fire enter 100 Phillips Ave. in Springfield after Doris Alzak, 81, was found dead inside her burning home.This updates a story posted at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday.
SPRINGFIELD - Police are calling 100 Phillips Ave. a crime scene after finding the homeowner dead in her burning house Tuesday.
Investigators with the Springfield police and fire departments are working with the state fire marshal’s office to determine what happened inside the home where firefighters discovered the body of the 81-year-old homeowner Doris Alzak in a chair in the living room just after 3 p.m. Police said that the cause of death is being determined by the state medical examiner's office.
At 3:05 p.m., trash removal crews with the city were making their rounds in the Boston Road neighborhood when they saw smoke coming from the house and called 911. A second 911 call came from Evelyn Pedraza, who said she has lived across the street from Alzak for the past 19 years.
“I saw the smoke and ran across the street and touched the door,” Pedraza said. “It was very hot and I called 911. Then I tried calling her but she didn’t answer. I saw her car in the driveway and I was afraid she might still be inside.”
City firefighters rushed to the scene and entered the front door, quickly extinguishing the fire, according to Dennis Leger, public information officer for the Springfield Fire Department. He said the fire did about $60,000 in damage to the one-story house.
“Firefighters found her and her cat dead in the living room near the front of the house,” Leger said. “Shortly after, the house became a crime scene.”
Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, said Alzak’s death and the fire inside her home are considered suspicious as detectives are trying to piece together the situation.
Pedraza, who was visibly upset following the news that her neighbor and friend had died, said the woman lived in the house for more than 40 years, calling her a “sweet little lady.”
“She lived there with her husband but he passed away a few years ago. Since then, she took over the house and always kept a nice yard and did the best she could to take care of the house. I can’t believe she is gone,” Pedraza said, while choking back tears. “We would have tea together and talk about the flowers we planted. She loved flowers. I know she is in a better place now, but every time I look across the street and don’t see her, I will be sad.”
Leger said Alzak received her last rites by Springfield Fire Department Chaplin Gary M. Daley in accordance with her religious beliefs.
Delaney said there was no signs of forced entry at the home, and that more information will be released as the investigation allows.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Springfield police Detective Bureau at (413) 787-6355. Those who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to “CRIMES,” or “274637,” and then beginning the body of the message with the word “SOLVE.”