LYNN — In only one day, community members have raised more than $10,000 for the family of Andrea Diaz, the three-year old girl who died in a house fire at Circuit Avenue Tuesday morning.
Crime scene tape blocked off a portion of Circuit Avenue Tuesday morning, as firefighters walked through the wreckage of the scorched two-story property. Diaz was considered “unaccounted for” until later in the morning, when Diaz was pronounced dead on scene.
At 4:30 p.m. Thursday, The Diaz family received $10,889 through a total of 213 donations ranging in quantity from five dollars to $250 on a GoFundMe site posted Wednesday.
“Thank you everybody that has donated, this greatly impacts us and our family,” the girl’s parents wrote on the site.
State and local officials wrote in a statement Wednesday that investigators have not yet determined the fire’s cause, but that the fire “does not appear suspicious,” Lynn Fire Chief Stephen Archer, State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, and Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.
Investigators found no evidence of criminal conduct or an intentional act, but officials said that they were unable to rule out multiple accidental factors such as smoking materials or an electrical event. Additionally, fire investigators found no working smoke alarms in the home. Ostroskey said that he wanted to remind the public to check their fire alarms periodically to make sure that they’re in working order.
“Whatever else you do today, please take time to be sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey. “Check the manufacturing date printed on the back of the alarm. If there’s no date or if it’s more than 10 years old, replace it with a new alarm that has a hush feature and a sealed, long-life battery. We’ve found that these are less likely to be disabled.”
Archer said that although the fire’s cause remains undetermined, improper disposal of smoking materials remains the leading cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts. He advised smokers to carefully dispose of their cigarettes, either with an ashtray, or with sand or water.
“If you smoke or have guests who do, always use a heavy ashtray with water or sand and remember to put it out, all the way, every time. Never discard cigarettes, matches, or other smoking materials on the ground where they can ignite mulch or dry leaves,” Archer said.
Archer also expressed his condolences to the Diaz family and their friends.
“Our thoughts remain with this child’s family, who lost a cherished loved one and the place they called home,” Archer said. “I know the community shares their grief for this terrible loss.”
Mayor Jared Nicholson, who spoke at the scene of the fire, paid his respects to the Diaz family, while also expressing appreciation for those who supported the victims.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for the family affected and for our community. We extend our deepest condolences to the family as they deal with this unthinkable loss, and we wish all those affected a speedy and full recovery,” Nicholson said. “While we know there will be a full investigation into the circumstances of this tragic event, at this point we are focused on the victims and are incredibly grateful for all those rallying to help them and provide support for our community at this most difficult time.”
