NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. — Authorities say a fatal fire at a North Attleborough apartment building in January started when the victim fell asleep on a couch while he was smoking.
The fire Jan. 23 took the life of 58-year-old Michael Sheehan and injured his roommate, 59-year-old Kathryn Kaine, who was treated for smoke inhalation at the hospital.
Eighteen other residents of the complex were displaced.
In a joint statement Thursday, the state Fire Marshal and local authorities said the fact Kaine closed her bedroom door probably saved her life.
The fire began in the living room of the apartment in the eight-unit building and spread to other units.
Investigators tell The Sun Chronicle (http://bit.ly/IdEGR3 ) the building did not have sprinklers because they were not required when it was built.
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Information from: The Sun Chronicle, http://www.thesunchronicle.com