MALDEN, MASS. (WHDH) - An elderly couple was killed late Tuesday night when a large fire ripped through a home in Malden.
Firefighters responded around 11:30 p.m to a home at 30 Perkins Avenue, officials said.
Crews rushed to save the man and woman, but firefighters found the home already engulfed in flames upon arrival.
Crews pulled the woman from the burning home. She was taken to Mass General Hospital with serious injuries, where she later died. The man was found dead inside, officials said.
Neighbors said they heard screams coming from inside as crews battled the fire.
Investigators said the fire was caused by the “improper disposal of smoking materials.” They said the fire started in the living room near a couch.
Neighbors said the couple had lived on Perkins Avenue for 20 years.
“They were a nice elderly couple. They were always together, going sopping together. They were retired,” neighbor Freddy Diphillipio said.
The identities of the victims will be released pending formal identification by the state medical examiners office.
“This fire is a terrible tragedy for the family and the community,” Malden Fire Chief Kevin Finn said.” “I urge every resident of Malden not to go to sleep tonight unless all their smoke and CO alarms are working.”
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