Main South Alliance for Public Safety Press Release

March 7, 2022 will be the 32nd anniversary of a tragic fire that took place at 21 Florence Street, in which four people perished period. Each year on March 7, the main South alliance for public safety commemorates not only the terrible disaster but all fire related deaths since 1986. The large black granite memorial at 1020 Main Street will again be the site of this year's memorial. In 1988 28-year-old Ethel Baisden. And her three children, Francis age three, David age 23 months and Paul age seven months, died when flames swept through their apartment at 21 Florence Street. The fire began when the baby's blanket was ignited by a gas space heater. There are 63 names inscribed on the monument. This year, we will be adding three names.

Edna Mae Williams Age 58

Woodrow Adams Sr Age 71

Gerald Prince Age 61

The original placing of the memorial in its maintenance by the main South alliance is to serve both as a reminder to the community of the fire safety in general and proactive solutions, in particular the importance of having in place hardwired smoke detectors in each residence. Over the past several years the alliance has focused on the dangers of fire as a result of the housing foreclosure crisis. Also, an attended space heaters, poor quality and overloaded extension cords, candles, smoldering smoke materials and the importance of installing carbon monoxide detectors. We will continue to work with fire prevention to bring public awareness to these hazards. We also ask that citizens report any vacant building with signs of illegal access to 5089 to 91300. Fire Safety has been in our schools for many years and because of the hard work of our firefighters in our schools 2020 is the first time on record that no child has died in a fire in Massachusetts

Ceremony:

March 7, 2022

10:00 a.m.

1020 Main St (Corner of Main and Agawam St Worcester MA)