FITCHBURG —Two people died in a house fire that happened early Sunday morning at 14 Highland Ave. in Fitchburg.
Two adults were removed from the single-family home by Fitchburg firefighters but were pronounced dead at the local hospital, according a press release from Jennifer Mieth, public information officer for the Department of Fire Services. The fire was reported at 1:30 a.m.
A Tier 1 HazMat response was activated due to reports of an acrid smell. It is believed the smell is from chemicals in an unused photography lab in the home, the press release stated.
The investigation is being jointly conducted by Fitchburg Fire, Fitchburg Police and State Police assigned to both the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Worcester District Attorney’s Office. The initial focus is an overloaded power strip but the investigation is ongoing.
The Department of Fire Services Code Compliance Unit assisted. It appears there were no smoke alarms in the home, the press release stated.