Electrical Problem Blamed in Massachusetts LODD

PEABODY, Mass. -- The investigation into the fire that killed Peabody firefighter James Rice has confirmed that an electrical problem sparked the blaze, but it shed no more light on the exact cause of his death.

The state fire marshal's office said yesterday it could take several weeks before the state medical examiner's office releases its final report on how Rice died.

"Although his cause of death is undetermined pending further testing, it is clear (firefighter) Rice died while fighting the fire," a press release said.

Rice, 42, died Dec. 23 while battling a three-alarm blaze at a six-family apartment building at 5 Hancock St. Peabody fire Chief Steve Pasdon said at the time that Rice inhaled toxic fumes. Pasdon has said that Rice was wearing a breathing mask.

Rice was found and "quickly rescued" by firefighters from the second-floor apartment, according to yesterday's press release.

Pasdon declined to comment yesterday beyond the information that was in the press release.

"There will be more information when we've got the results of the autopsy," he said. "We're not getting too specific at this time."

Investigators described the cause of the fire as "electrical" but gave no more details. Residents at the scene said a malfunctioning fuse in the second-floor bedroom started the fire.

According to investigators, the building was equipped with a properly working fire alarm system, smoke alarms, heat detectors and carbon monoxide alarms but did not have a sprinkler system. The sprinklers were not required when the building was built but would be if it were built today, investigators said.

There are no records of any outstanding code violations for the building, according to the press release.

Two residents of the second-floor apartment were treated for smoke inhalation. All of the other occupants escaped safely.

The investigation was conducted by State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan; Pasdon; Peabody police Chief Robert Champagne; federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Guy Thomas; and Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducts a review of every firefighter line-of-duty death to see if there are lessons that can be learned to improve workplace safety, according to the press release.

Thousands of firefighters attended Rice's funeral last week in Peabody. The 11-year veteran of the Peabody Fire Department is survived by his wife and three children.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service