Couple dies in Mass. house fire

PLYMOUTH, Mass.—An elderly couple has died in a house fire in Plymouth.

A spokeswoman for the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office identified the victims as 77-year-old Edward Tavares and 69-year-old Maria Rosa Tavares.

Battalion Chief Donald Brown said firefighters responding to a call from neighbors arrived at 35 Cherry St. about 6:45 a.m. Thursday to heavy fire in the rear of the home.

Firefighters entered through the front and found Maria Tavares near the entrance. She was taken to Jordan Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her husband was found elsewhere in the house and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said several potential causes are still being investigated, including reports that the couple used a wood stove for heat. He said it does not appear that there were any working smoke detectors in the house.