Cause of Salem Fire That Killed David Sirois Remains Under Investigation
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS (March 20, 2026) – A 62-year-old man identified as David Sirois has tragically died in a Salem house fire at a multi-family residence on Roslyn Street.
Salem officials are saying the incident took place around 1:15 PM on Wednesday. Firefighters were called to the scene to help all of the victims.
A fire chief and a Salem police officer were initially pushed back by flames and smoke. However, they were eventually able to locate and extricate David Sirois from the home.
An ambulance was called to the scene to help the injured victim. David Sirois was transported to Mass General Brigham hospital.
But he later died due to his injuries. The actual fire was put out in roughly 15 minutes. State and local fire investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire.
Liability for Salem Apartment Fires
Property owners in Massachusetts have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This requires that they comply with all the fire and building codes. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition on their premises, they must take action. Apartment owners should take several actions to protect against apartment fires.
- Clear Exits: Apartment owners should ensure that all exits to the building are unobstructed so that people are easily able to escape in the event of a fire.
- Fire Suppression: Apartment owners should install and maintain fire suppression systems. Fire extinguishers should be installed in certain locations.
- Alert Systems: Apartment owners should ensure that all of their units have functional smoke alarms. These are critical for alerting residents in the event of a fire.
- Electrical Systems: Apartment owners should ensure that all of their electrical systems are routinely inspected and well maintained.
Residential fires are often highly complex. There could be several liable parties for any incident, depending on how it took place. For example, the company that manufactured a consumer product could be liable for any fire and resulting injuries. Many residential fires are the result of malfunctioning products that contain lithium-ion batteries.
Steps to Take After Salem Residential Fires
Multiple actions should be taken after any residential fire to protect your legal rights:
- Any reports created related to the source of the fire should be sought.
- Medical records related to all injuries should be collected.
- The family of any person who died should seek the guidance of a team experienced in fire science and negligence claims.
Going through a residential fire can be extremely traumatic, particularly for injury victims. To make matters even more difficult, property owners and their insurance providers will almost never accept responsibility after any fire. They may try to blame other third parties or even the victim. It is vital that victims of apartment fires understand that they are protected by a number of laws. They are able to seek some measure of transparency and accountability through a personal injury claim.
Investigating Salem Residential Fires
Residential fires remain a serious hazard across Massachusetts, though deaths have decreased in recent years. According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, “Massachusetts fire deaths in 2025 declined from a seven-year high in 2024, with more than 90% taking place in the victims’ homes, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said.”
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of David Sirois. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the authorities. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. What was the source of the fire? Was this building compliant with all the fire and safety codes?
Do you need more information about a Salem apartment fire? Our team of accident investigators is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact us anytime at (617) 870-0907.