A man who died more than a week after he was rescued from a two-alarm fire in Newton earlier this month was identified as Peter Yaffe, 73, of Newton, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office told MassLive Thursday.
The fire broke out near 125 Allen Ave. at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 13, the Department of Fire Services said in a release Tuesday. By the time firefighters arrived, one person had already escaped the burning building while another was trapped inside.
Crews entered the home and pulled the person, later identified as Yaffe, to safety. He was brought to Massachusetts General Hospital with serious injuries, officials said. Yaffe died on Saturday, Dec. 23.
According to his obituary, Yaffe leaves behind his brother, several cousins, aunt and uncle.
“This is a terrible loss for them and for the community, especially during the holiday season,” Newton Fire Chief Gregory J. Gentile said. “I want to remind all our residents just how important it is to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially for older adults.”
The fire caused significant damage to the home and was brought under control after about half an hour, officials added. The Newton firefighter who rescued the man was also hospitalized with serious injuries, but has since been released and is recovering.
At this time, investigators believe the fire was accidental and started in the living room with a lamp that was not working properly.
“Electrical events like this one are historically the third leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts,” State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said. “Having your home’s electrical system inspected by a licensed professional every 10 years can identify problems before they become emergencies.”
Anyone who has an appliance in their home that is sparking or smoking should unplug it right away and call 911 for help.
