January a 'Deadly' Month for Fires

A two-alarm fire that claimed the life of a woman in Gloucester Saturday night marked the seventh fatality in the state, reported the Boston Globe.

Shrewsbury's Fire Chief Jim Vuona remarked, "This has been one of the deadliest Januarys on record for fires in a long time," adding, "Be safe." 

With temperatures dropping to zero, or even below, the conditions often instigate fire risks, particularly with more people lighting wood stoves and using space heaters.

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan told the Globe, “We’re not off to a good start,” adding that there is a connection between a lack of working smoke alarms and fatalities, as well. 

"We have had several smaller fires in January that we were fortunate enough to contain while they were small," said Vuona. "But, we did have two major fires this past December—one of which started in a chimney and spread into the walls and attic. It is important to have chimneys cleaned, inspected and repaired on a regular basis."

Go here for winter heating safety tips.