Woman who died in Millbury brush fire identified
(This story was updated to change or add a photo or video.)
MILLBURY — A small brush fire that was believed to have originated in an encampment left one woman dead Saturday night, authorities said.
On Monday, the Worcester County District Attorney's office identified the victim as Maryann Audette, 49.
On Monday, a GoFundMe fundraiser was set up to help pay for funeral expenses.
"Maryann faced many struggles in her life, including a long battle with addiction, which ultimately led her to experience homelessness. Despite these challenges, Maryann was loved dearly by her family and friends who remember her for her kindness, her smile, and the times she brought joy into their lives," the page read.
The following comes from a news release from the Department of Fire Services:
At about 8:20 p.m. Saturday, a Massachusetts State Police trooper responded to a brush fire in the area of the Blackstone River Bikeway near state Route 146 in Millbury.
Audette was located in an encampment. The trooper notified the Millbury Fire Department and police, and the fire was fully extinguished.
Audette was pronounced dead at the scene. The office of the chief medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
At the time of the fire, the state was under a red flag warning that any outdoor fire could spread quickly and be difficult to extinguish, due to dry and windy conditions.
The site of the encampment is just south of border between Worcester and Millbury. The bike path, which is now open to the public, is south of the Worcester Walmart at Tobias Boland Way.
On Monday, yellow tape surrounded the site of the fire.
Inside the yellow tape was shopping carts full of personal items including clothes.
Trash bags were also visible within the area closed off by yellow tape.
Drug paraphernalia could be seen on a table outside the yellow tape.
Samantha Olney of HALO Greater Worcester, a homeless advocacy group started by homeless people to support homeless substance users and advocate for them in the community, said she knew Audette and was devastated.
Olney said in an email that she could not "stress enough" that homeless people should not camp alone.
In addition, Olney called for a sanctioned encampment in the city to establish some stability for homeless people. Olney has previously petitioned the City Council to allow such an encampment, but the idea was voted down.
Brush fires have been an issue across the state over the last week, amid drought conditions.
On Wednesday, fire crews from many Central Massachusetts communities battled an intense brush fire that covered five acres in a wooded area in Holden near the Paxton town line. The Sutton Fire Department also dealt with a brush fire that came near a house in a wooded area off Whitins Road.