SAUGUS Vol. 24, No. 28 -FREETh e Advocate–A household word in Saugus! OC C www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday House blaze that killed two Saugus residents was electrical, fi re probe determines By Mark E. Vogler T he early morning fi re that claimed the lives of two elderly Saugus siblings last Saturday (July 10) was determined to be electrical, according to the fi ndings of a probe headed up by the state Fire Marshal’s Offi ce. “The joint investigation revealed that the fi re began in an interior attached porch at the front of the building, where numerous electrical and extension cords were observed in the debris,” the Fire Marshal’s Offi ce said in a press release issued yesterday. “All other sources of ignition, including foul play, have been ruled out,” it continued. In addition, investigators found no evidence of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms in the home, it continued. Louis Gallo, 78, and his sister Rosemarie Naples, 80, died in the three-alarm house fi re that broke out at about 5:30 at 16 Richard St. Offi cials said they found Naples in a second fl oor bathroom and rushed to MelroseWakefi eld Hospital, where she later died of her injuries. Firefi ghters found Gallo’s lifeFATAL FIRE | SEE PAGE 13 “Ballard Gardens” unveiled Neighbors share a green vision of what the old Ballard School grounds could look like several years from now By Mark E. Vogler H ow about a fenced-in park that encompasses a gazebo, a community garden area, pools of water, benches, walkways where moms can wheel their baby carriages and a place where folks can walk their dogs? About 45 people – most of them residents from the neighborhood surrounding the town’s vacant and deteriorating Ballard School building and grounds – got to learn about the “Ballard Gardens” GARDENS | SEE PAGE 6 A FUTURE LOOK FOR THE OLD SCHOOL? Steve Rich, a retired architect and engineer, prepared this sketch of the “Ballard Gardens” proposal for a community meeting this week. Many residents who live near the old Ballard School said they like the proposal being considered as a future use of the property. (Saugus Advocate photos by Mark E. Vogler) A PASTOR’S BEST FRIEND: Father Jason “Jay” Makos, the new pastor of Saugus Catholics Collaborative, shows some love to his fi veyear-old Boston terrier, Thea, during a recent interview at the Collaborative’s offi ces at 14 Summer St. in Saugus. Father Jay will preside over an outdoor Mass on the grounds of Blessed Sacrament Church on Sunday, July 18. See inside for more photos and this week’s “The Advocate Asks.” (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) D O TE CAT 781-233-4446 Friday, July 16, 2021 WELCOME TO SAUGUS, FATHER JAY! ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.859 Mid Unleaded $2.919 Super $3.079 Diesel Fuel $3.079 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.859 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS Prices subject to change Have a Happy & Safe Summer! FLEET
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