NEWTON, MASS. (WHDH) - A 63-year-old man was found dead Saturday morning in a burned out home in Newton hours after his 92-year-old mother was rescued through a window by firefighters, officials said.
Crews responding to a report of a fire at 115 Oxford St. around 4 a.m. were hampered by “hoarding conditions” as they tried to extinguish the blaze, according to the Newton Fire Department.
The elderly woman was rescued from the home by ladder and taken to the hospital but firefighters deemed her son “unaccounted for.”
Newton Fire Chief Bruce Proia announced during a 10 a.m. press conference that the man had been found dead in the basement, where he was believed to be living.
Crews were unable to make entry into the basement because conditions were too extreme, according to Proia.
“Our condolences go out to the family of the victim. Our firefighters made a valiant effort,” he said. “They were able to rescue his mother from an upper floor but unfortunately due to the fire conditions, they were not able to rescue him out of the basement.”
The name of the man has not been made public. There was no immediate word on his mother’s condition.
Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller told reporters that she is heartbroken by the tragedy.
“This is the worst call you can get as a mayor, to learn that a resident has died,” she said. “I know our fire department did everything they could and did everything right. This is a tough one for the city of Newton.”
One firefighter was also taken to the hospital with a minor shoulder injury.
The state fire marshal’s office is assisting with an investigation.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7News online and on-air for updates.
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