Easton, Mass. — Fire crews battled heavy flames Thursday night at a home on 44 North Main Street and found 74-year-old Sharon Cerullo dead inside, officials confirmed this week. Cerullo, the only person living in the house, was discovered in a first-floor bedroom and pronounced deceased at the scene, according to authorities.
Neighbors heard sirens and saw smoke rising just after 9:20 p.m. when the Easton Fire Department was called through a third party reporting a medical emergency. Fire Chief Justin Alexander said firefighters were sent in after a medical alert triggered the dispatch, but no one could make contact with Cerullo before arriving.
When crews reached the home, they were met with roaring flames and intense heat. Inside the first floor, they found Cerullo unresponsive in a bedroom. Despite quick efforts by the team, she could not be revived. She was the only resident of the property.
Firefighters worked for about two hours to contain the blaze, the State Fire Marshal’s Office reported. Even after the main fire was under control, crews stayed on site well after midnight to extinguish hot spots and make sure the fire was fully out.
No members of the Easton Fire Department were hurt during the response, and Chief Alexander praised the crew for their courage and calm under pressure. Several neighbors stood on nearby lawns, watching the efforts and waiting for updates late into the night.
At this point, firefighters and investigators haven’t pinpointed what sparked the fire. The State Fire Marshal’s Office, along with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, continues to examine the scene and interview witnesses to determine the cause.
Friends and family of Cerullo described her as a quiet woman who lived simply and kept to herself. For those who remember passing her on North Main Street, the loss is a somber reminder of how fast life can change. Local officials urge residents to check smoke detectors, especially in older homes, as winter fires rise with heating use.
