Smoking was the cause of the Methuen fire last month that took the life of a 64-year-old woman.
Investigators said there was evidence of smoking in the second-floor bedroom at 2 Lisa Lane where the fire started. All other causes were ruled out. Fire broke out Friday, April 17, around 11:30 p.m. Methuen Deputy Fire Chief Scott Sullivan told WHAV at the time the woman’s husband was injured trying to rescue his wife but was beaten back by the extreme heat. He was taken to Lawrence General Hospital, but was able to return to the fire scene an hour and a half later.
The investigation was conducted by Fire Chief J. Timothy Sheehy, Police Chief Joseph Solomon, Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey. They concluded there was “improper use or disposal of smoking materials.”
Damages were estimated at $150,000.