Officials: Middleboro Fire That Killed 90-Year-Old Caused by Smoking

MIDDLEBORO (WBSM) — The identity of the elderly woman killed in a fire in Middleboro as well as its likely cause have been released.

According to officials, the cause of the two-alarm fire that occurred early Monday morning was likely smoking materials. The investigation also revealed that the home did not have working smoke alarms.

Victim Identified in Fatal Fire

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz identified the victim as Anne Tichelaar, 90. She was previously reported as being 91 years old. Her exact cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

READ MORE: Elderly Woman Killed in Middleboro Fire

The Middleboro Fire Department responded at about 2:50 a.m. on September 1 to a report of a house fire at 72 Everett Street.

Crews arrived to find the two-story, multifamily home with flames showing from multiple windows on the first floor. Other residents of the building had escaped before crews arrived, but when firefighters made entry into the home, they found Tichelaar on the first floor. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.

How the Middleboro Fire Started

The origin and cause of the fire are still being investigated by the Middleboro Fire Department, Middleboro Police, Massachusetts State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and state police detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office.

“Preliminarily, they have determined that the fire began accidentally with smoking materials in the first-floor living room,” the authorities said in a press release. “Investigators were supported by the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit, which found no working smoke alarms in the home.”

Officials Warn About Smoking Risks and Need for Smoke Alarms

“On behalf of the Middleborough Fire Department, I again want to express our heartfelt condolences to Ms. Tichelaar’s loved ones,” Fire Chief Owen Thompson said. “I also want to remind all our residents that smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts. It’s especially dangerous to smoke in bed. Please, if you smoke or have guests who do, always use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and put it out, all the way, every time.”

READ MORE: Dartmouth Explosion Injures One, Kills Dog

“Working smoke alarms are your first line of defense in an emergency,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said. “Please take a few minutes today to be sure you have them on every level of your home. Check the manufacturing date printed on the back of the device and replace it if it’s more than 10 years old. And test your alarms each month to be sure you and your loved ones are protected.”