Large Woburn house fire was likely started by smoking materials, officials say

Officials have concluded that a three-alarm house fire in Woburn over the weekend most likely started after improper disposal of smoking materials. 

The early Sunday morning fire left two children with non life-threatening injuries, the Department of Fire Services (DFS) said in a press release Tuesday. 

The Woburn Fire Department responded to 1 Richmond Park after receiving multiple 911 calls at about 3:45 a.m., according to the release. 

Firefighters also spotted a girl on the roof of the house trapped by the flames and deployed a ground ladder to rescue her, Woburn Fire Department said in a statement. 

Another child escaped through a window, according to DFS. The fire was put out in about 45 minutes, the press release said. 

The two children in the house were taken to a hospital in Boston for treatment. Three families were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross of Massachusetts, officials said.

The Woburn Fire Department, Woburn Police Department, and State Police investigated the origin of the fire, DFS said. They determined that the fire began on an enclosed porch, then spread to the third floor and roof, according to DFS. 

“While fire damage prevented a thorough examination of that area, investigators believe the most probable cause was the improper disposal of smoking materials,” DFS said in the press release. “There was no evidence that the fire was intentionally set.”

State Fire Marshal Jon Davine warned the public about the importance of putting out smoking materials properly. Fires started by improper disposal of cigarettes and other smoking supplies have caused four deaths in the state this year already, Davine said. 

“Smoking materials are the leading cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts and the nation,” Woburn Fire Chief Donald Kenton said in a statement. “A fire like this one, in the early morning hours while occupants were still sleeping, could have easily turned tragic.”