Unattended Space Heater Caused Lawrence Fire Sunday: Officials

LAWRENCE, MA — The Sunday night fire on Lawrence's Margin Street was ignited by an unattended space heater, Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said Monday.

The two-family home did not have working smoke alarms, officials said. The accidental fire began in a bedroom.

Ten people were displaced by the fire.

Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and get it delivered every weekday. It's free!

Moriarty, Ostroskey and Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña shared safety tips for residents using space heaters and asked everyone to make sure their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.

"As we enter the heating season, remember that space heaters need space," DePeña said. "Keep drapes, bedding, and anything that can burn at least three feet from a space heater, and always turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep."

"Space heaters should always be plugged directly into a wall socket, not an extension cord or power strip," Moriarty said. "Place them on a flat, level surface where you won’t bump into them or trip on the cord. And if you’re buying a space heater, select one with an automatic shut-off switch that turns the unit off if it’s knocked over."

"Investigators did not find working smoke alarms at the scene," said Fire Marshal Ostroskey. "All residents escaped safely, but that might not have been the case if they had been sleeping. Take a minute today to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Replace the batteries if necessary, and replace the alarm if it’s more than 10 years old."

Portable space heaters were involved in at least a dozen fires costing over $900,000 last year, the officials said.

Unvented kerosene space heaters are illegal to sell and use in Massachusetts due to the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.