Space Heater Caused Fatal Holliston House Fire: Fire Marshal

HOLLISTON, MA — A space heater caused the Holliston house fire that killed a 77-year-old woman and 15-20 dogs in the home, according to fire officials.

The Jan. 8 fire broke out in a home on Winter Street after a space heater in a first floor storage room caught fire, officials said. State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said it's unclear whether the space heater was too close to something that caught fire, failed, or overloaded the electrical system.

The Winter Street home had no working smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and the only heat source was from several electric space heaters throughout the house, fire officials said. The furnace in the home was not working.

Firefighters were able to rescue and resuscitate a woman who had escaped but ran back into the smoke-filled home to try to rescue 15-20 dogs inside. She and her husband were taken to a local hospital where she died of her injuries. All dogs in the home died as well. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office identified the woman as Ronda Levine, age 77.

"This fire is a terrible tragedy for the Levine family and for the Town of Holliston. Sadly, every tragedy provides us with lessons on how not to have a repeat," Holliston Fire Chief Michael R. Cassidy said, "Working smoke alarms give you more time to use your home escape plan, and as we teach our youngsters in school, get out and stay out. Never re-enter a burning building."

The state fire marshal reminded senior homeowners who need help maintaining their heating systems to get help from the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), even if they do not need help with the fuel bills.

“A well-maintained furnace prevents fires and carbon monoxide poisoning and is cheaper to run,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey.