Smoking Blamed In Fatal Waltham Fire
WALTHAM (CBS) -- Fire officials say improper disposal of smoking materials sparked a fatal fire on Albemarle Road in Waltham on Tuesday.
Phillip Muskalski, 53, died in the fire that started near the living room couch. He was the only occupant of the home and was known to be a heavy smoker, Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said.
Coan said this is the 55th fire death of 2014, up from 44 that took place in Massachusetts last year.
"While we have made progress in reducing fire deaths in smoking-caused fires, the improper disposal of smoking materials remains one of the leading causes," Coan said in a statement. "2014 has been a terrible year for fire deaths."
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