LOWELL, MASS. (WHDH) - A man who was found dead next to a dumpster behind a building in Lowell on Friday morning fell asleep smoking and set himself on fire, officials said.
Crews responding to a report of smoke in the area of 16 Middle St. around 5:30 a.m. found the deceased man, Lowell Fire Chief Jeffrey Winward, Lowell Police Superintendent Raymond Kelly Richardson, Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan, and State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said in a joint news release. His name has not been released.
Investigators believe the man fell asleep smoking and his blankets and clothing ignited.
The dumpster is said to be located behind a low-income housing complex for the elderly and disabled and is a few blocks from a homeless shelter.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office are assisting local authorities with an investigation.
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