Cigarettes Likely Caused Lowell Fire That Killed 4-Year-Old Girl

LOWELL, MA — Investigators say the improper disposal of cigarette butts was most likely the cause of a fire in Lowell that killed a 4-year-old girl earlier this month.

Pietra Emanuelle Silva Araujo was killed on March 3 when a fire destroyed her daycare on Maude Street.

The fire was said to have started in a shared first-floor porch in the back of the building, where investigators say they found cigarette butts, but officials couldn't confirm the information due to the extent of the damage.

"Based on an examination of the scene, witness interviews, video footage, and other evidence, investigators identified a shared first-floor porch at the rear of the building as the fire's point of origin and recovered abundant evidence of cigarette butts in this area," State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey's office said Thursday.

The official cause of the fire will remain "undetermined," and Ostroskey's office said the fire did not appear criminal. At least 10 residents were displaced.

Five people were rescued from the fire in the triple-decker building, but firefighters say they couldn't find the four-year-old during their searches. Araujo's body was located later that night.

According to her obituary, Araujo moved to Lowell with her family from Brazil in July of last year. Her family says she was happy with her new home and enjoyed playing with her friends. "Her family will cherish every moment of the 4 years they had with her," the obituary says.

A GoFundMe page has been organized to help support Araujo's family during this difficult time.