Fatal Fire on Carlisle Road Was 'Intentionally Set'

Although still a few weeks away from issuing an official statement, the State Fire Marshal's office has determined that the fatal fire at 7 Carlisle Road that claimed the life of Alfred Demeusy on July 10, 2013 was intentionally set.

"We've not released a lot of information, except that the fire originated in an upstairs bedroom and it was incendiary, meaning it was intentionally lit by a human act," said Fire Marshal investigator Eric Berube.

The distinction between "incendiary" and "arson" is in the intent, Berube said.

"All arsons are incendiary, but to make a determination of arson, the intent has to be there to damage the property of another," Berube said. "Arson is a crime, while incendiary is simply one of four classifications of fires," which include accidental, incendiary, natural causes or undetermined, he said.

The state fire marshal's office is working jointly with Nashua Fire Marshal Cynthia Bautista and Nashua Police in the ongoing investigation.

Berube said it is not unusual for a fire investigation to take several months to complete.

"We want to make sure we are thorough and have the whole picture before we make a determination. Fire investigations are very technical," Berube said.