Authorities say second victim in Hopkinton fire has died
HOPKINTON — The second person who was found early Sunday in a burning Hayward Street home has died, authorities said Tuesday afternoon.
The woman, who was in her 60s, was first taken to Milford Regional Medical Center after Sunday's fire. She was later transferred to a Boston hospital, where she died.
A man is his 60s died as a result of the fire later on Sunday.
Authorities have not officially identified the two victims, but several media outlets have identified them as being the homeowners, Judith and Seldon MacNeill. A dog also died in the fire.
The two-alarm fire, at 69 Hayward St., is not suspicious, but its exact cause is unknown, according to the state Fire Marshal's Office.
However, an investigation by the Hopkinton Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the state Fire Marshal's Office and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office determined that all potential factors for the fire, which started on the front porch, are accidental.
No working smoke alarms
“While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, we know that there were no working smoke alarms at the scene,” said Hopkinton Fire Chief William Miller, in a press release. “Every household needs working smoke alarms on every level of the home. If they take alkaline batteries, change the batteries twice a year and replace the alarm itself after 10 years. When purchasing a replacement, choose photoelectric alarms that have a sealed, long-life battery and a hush feature. Test them every month to be sure you and your family are protected.”
Earlier: Man and dog killed, woman hospitalized after Easter morning fire in Hopkinton
Firefighters rushed to the home at 1:12 a.m. on Easter Sunday after several 911 calls reporting the fire. Upon arrival, they found heavy fire coming from the ranch-style home. Inside, they found the man on the floor in a hallway, while the woman was in the bedroom.
The house is a total loss, authorities said.
Sixth and seventh fire deaths in two weeks
According to the state Fire Marshal's Office, the two deaths are the sixth and seventh in the past two weeks in Massachusetts homes that didn't have a working smoke alarm.
"If you do one thing today, please make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and check in on older relatives to make sure theirs are working, too," Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said in the release.
The Hopkinton fire remains under investigation.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For-up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Second person dies as result of Easter morning fire in Hopkinton
