Cigarette likely
cause of blaze
on Great Neck
IPSWICH — Careless disposal of a cigarette is the likely cause of a two-alarm fire at a Great Neck home more than two weeks ago, fire officials said.
Fire Chief Arthur Howe said a report on the Nov. 5 fire released yesterday said the resident and homeowner, Annmarie Hughes, fell asleep while sitting in a chair in a room off the living room.
She had been smoking, Howe said.
No one was injured in the blaze.
Hughes woke up and saw the side of her chair was on fire, Howe said.
The fire at 27 Bayview Road caused approximately $250,000 in damage to the two-story home.
"It's a question of whether they would want to rebuild, or knock down (the home) and reconstruct," Howe said.
Howe said the fire alarm in the next room activated, but he's not sure if that woke her up, or if the heat or crackling of the fire roused her.
Hughes told investigators — police Detective Peter Dziadose and firefighter Jerome Tinel — she went to the kitchen to grab water to try to put out the fire, but realized it was too large.
She also mistakenly called 411, the number for directory assistance, instead of 911, Howe said. An operator eventually patched her through to Ipswich police and fire dispatchers.
Hughes told investigators she grabbed her dog and cell phone and got out of the house.
But neighbors said the night of the fire Hughes was still in the house. They said a man who lives across the street ran into the house and helped Hughes and her dog outside.
Hughes is staying with her daughter in the interim.
Howe said the fire highlights "common-sense things to be aware of."
"Don't smoke while sleepy or drowsy," Howe said. "It's a deadly combination."
