Victim of fatal Oakham house fire identified, accidental factors under investigation

Local News

Officials say investigators found a space heater and other possible ignition sources where the fatal fire began.

Investigators are examining accidental factors in an Oakham fire that claimed a man’s life and destroyed his home Wednesday.

Ajay Batra, 55, has been identified as the sole victim of the fatal fire, Oakham Fire Chief Timothy Howe, Oakham Police Chief Frederick Gehring, State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office said in a joint statement Thursday. Local and state investigators determined that the house fire began in a second-floor bedroom.

Though officials said they have not conclusively determined the cause, investigators found a space heater and other possible ignition sources where the fire began. Examining the area closely proved to be a challenge due to “massive structural damage,” so fire officials used a drone to search the collapsed parts of the home.

No evidence has been found that the fire was intentionally set, prompting officials to remind the community about safety tips for the winter months.

“The exact cause of this fire remains under investigation, but we know that heating fires tend to increase in the colder months,” Davine said in the statement. “Home heating equipment is usually the second or third leading cause of fatal fires in Massachusetts.”

“We want to remind everyone to keep combustible materials at least three feet away from any heating appliance on all sides,” Howe added. “That includes fireplaces, space heaters, and your furnace or oil burner. If you use a space heater, always plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip, and always turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.”

Oakham firefighters received a 911 call from a neighbor shortly before 12:45 a.m. and responded to 67 Skyline Dr., where they found heavy smoke and flames. They learned that a Rutland police officer had attempted to get inside the home but was forced back by the conditions inside.

Frigid temperatures and six inches of snow on the ground froze hoselines and caused icy conditions. The firefighters struck multiple alarms to bring more water and resources.

After fighting the flames for about an hour, they brought the blaze under control and found Batra inside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Our hearts go out to the family that lost a loved one this morning,” Howe said in a statement Wednesday. “This is a sad day for them and the community.”