Chicopee apartment fire that killed man prompts safety warning from fire officials

As the investigation continues into a deadly fire in Chicopee, fire officials want residents to stay safe. 22 News reporter Aretha Odaya is live in studio with their message. Yes, Ciara, officials say taking the steps to be prepared in an emergency situation can certainly make the ultimate difference. We offer our condolences to the entire family from the Chicopee Fire Department. The name has not been released of the adult man who died from his injuries in a fire at the Edward J. Benoit Apartments on Benoit Circle in Chicopee. It's listed as housing for the elderly and handicapped. Fire crews responded around 7.35 Monday night with smoke and flames coming from the back of the building. The fire was contained to a single unit, but five residents of the building are now without a home, being assisted by the Red Cross. Now the cause of that fire remains under investigation and Chicopee fire officials warn to always stay on alert because a fire could happen to anyone at any time. And that goes back to having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a home escape plan. We need everyone to practice what they're going to do if the smoke alarm sounds. We don't want the first time anyone to ever be trying to leave during an emergency is during the emergency. That means checking the date of the alarms no more than 10 years old. Test them. Make sure the batteries are working. Outlets, too. Follow the manufacturing instructions. Don't plug a high-powered device into something like an extension cord because 25,000 fires in Massachusetts in 2025 is 25,000 too many. And multiple agencies like the State Fire Marshal's Office and Chicopee Fire are investigating that apartment fire. We will provide updates when we know more. Working for you, Aretha Odaya, 22 News.