The investigation into what caused Monday’s fatal fire on Esther Avenue was expected to continue throughout the day Tuesday.
An inspector with the Office of the Fire Marshal arrived at the home at 103 Esther Ave. near George Street North on the city's west side shortly before 11 a.m. to accompany City of Cambridge fire prevention officer Ralph Schmidt through the home that was gutted by a fire that broke out shortly after 5 p.m. Monday.
Fire crews arrived shortly after to begin a night-long battle to bring the blaze under control.
In a press release issued late Monday night, the city said Cambridge fire crews entered the structure immediately to begin searching for occupants, but increasing heat and intensifying fire conditions forced crews to withdraw.
Soon after firefighters exited the home, fire engulfed the main floor and part of the floor collapsed.
An elderly man was later found dead inside the home.
The morning after, the extent of the fire is visible through the blown out front window of the home, but the roof remains covered with snow.
Metal sheeting from the porch roof lies in a pile between two ice-coated shrubs. The home's interior is completely blackened.
Melted siding and other debris litters one side of the house but homes on either side appeared undamaged.
Speaking off record Tuesday morning, a neighbour of the victim said the man lived alone. He believed he lived in the house since the mid-80s and didn’t think he had family living locally.
The neighbour, who lives nearby, said he arrived at his own home shortly before 5 p.m. Monday and didn’t notice anything unusual.
About 10 minutes later, he said, smoke was seen pouring out of the home.
Another neighbour, who lives directly across the street, was not willing to comment.
In a press release, Cambridge Fire Chief Brian Arnold said firefighters were saddened by the loss of life and extended condolences to the man’s family and friends for their loss.
“Cambridge Firefighters performed admirably and I commend them for their efforts,” he said. “No firefighter ever wants to encounter such an outcome, and we mourn along with the community.”
The street remained closed Tuesday morning but several people were seen walking by to look at the damage.
