WEBSTER – Webster Fire Chief Brian Hickey and State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey announced on Wednesday, May 26, that the cause of the fatal fire a week earlier, on May 19, will remain officially undetermined.
The High St. fire led to the death of Paul Duvall, 60. Firefighters removed Duvall from the building but could not resuscitate him.
The fire began on the exterior of the home near the side porch. Emergency response received a report of the fire around 9:40 PM.
Investigators found evidence of smoking materials and common combustibles in the area where the fire started. Investigators could not rule out electrical wiring as a cause.
Improper disposal of smoking materials is the most probable cause, according to investigators, but they did not reach a conclusion.
According to Ostroskey, “Smoking is the confirmed or suspected cause of four of the five fatal fires in the month of May.
