PEABODY — State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and Peabody Fire Chief Joseph L. Daly said in a statement Tuesday the cause of the Dec. 5 fire at 50 Warren St., was the improper use and disposal of smoking materials,.
Firefighters discovered the fire around 11 a.m. while investigating the source of a water leak and found the sprinkler system in the building had activated.
They were able to rescue the woman who was in the apartment where the fire occurred. The woman was transported to a Boston hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening.
Investigators determined the fire started on a mattress in the sixth floor studio apartment.
The Peabody Fire Department, the Peabody Police Department and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal jointly investigated.
In 2018, 1,460 fires were caused by the improper use or disposal of smoking materials. They caused 13, or nearly 30 percent of civilian fire deaths, 33 civilian injuries, 13 fire service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $14.4 million.
“Smoking fires can smolder undetected for a long time before bursting into flames whether it is on a bed, in a sofa, or a pile of mulch. Be a responsible smoker and put out smoking materials completely and safely. Every time,” said Daly.
“Smoking is a leading cause of fire deaths and we want smokers to live long enough to quit,” said Ostroskey, “Talk to your doctor because they have more ways than ever to help you quit.”