Medical examiner rules deaths of father and son in Massachusetts fire as homicides

2 deaths in Massachusetts fire ruled homicides

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — The deaths of two men in one of a string of fires last weekend have been ruled homicides by the Massachusetts Medical Examiner’s office.

Dr. Andrew Sexton on Wednesday “presumptively” identified the victims in the Sunday fire in Northampton, Mass., as 81-year-old Paul Yeskie Sr. and his son, 39-year-old Paul Yeskie Jr. Family members had already publicly identified the Yeskies as the victims.

Additional dental tests are needed to positively identify the victims.

Authorities say they died of asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation and “thermal injuries.”

The men died in one of a string of nine suspected arson fires that struck the city last Sunday. There have been no arrests.