COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

HAMPDEN DISTRICT

SUPERIOR COURT
TEL: 413-747-1000
FAX: 413-781-4745

HALL OF JUSTICE
50 STATE STREET
SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01102-0559

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

TEL: 413-747-1001
FAX: 413-747-5628

ANTHONY D. GULLUNI
DISTRICT ATTORNEY

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jim Leydon (HDAO)
Public and Media Information Officer

Jennifer Mieth (DFS)

Public Information Officer

Victim of Fatal Westfield Fire Identified

December 26, 2015 -Springfield, MA- Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni, State
Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan, Westfield Fire Chief Mary Reagan, and Westfield Police Chief
John Camerota today released the identity of the victim from the December 23, 2015 fire at 64
Mill Street, Westfield. The fire was caused by a portable space heater which was located to close
to combustibles. The fire took the life of the sole occupant of the home, John R. Enko.
The fire was jointly investigated by the Westfield Fire and Police Departments, Massachusetts
State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Massachusetts State Police
assigned to the Office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.
No Working Smoke Alarms
State Fire Marshal Coan said, There were no working smoke or carbon monoxide alarms in the
home. No one thinks fire will happen to them, but we have lost nine people to fire in December.
Please take a minute to protect yourself and your family this holiday season and make sure ALL
your smoke and CO alarms are working.
Space Heater Fires between 2005 and 2014
One hundred and twenty five (125) space heater fires were reported to the Office of the State
Fire Marshal between 2005 and 2014. While these fires are not frequent, they are deadly. One of
every 16 space heater fires causes a fatality. These fires caused 23 civilian injuries, 27 fire
service injuries, and an estimated dollar loss of $7 million. The average dollar loss for a space
heater fire is $55,982. Twenty-five percent (25%) of these fires were caused when combustible
materials such as bedding, magazines, newspapers, clothing or furniture were too close to the
heater, and another 3% were caused when rugs, carpets or mats were under or too close to the
heater.
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