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Nov. 28--An elderly Randolph couple died in an early-morning fire at their Collins Avenue home yesterday, a blaze officials say appears accidental -- and preventable.
Randolph Fire Capt. James J. Hurley identified the victims as Allan J. Belnavis, 81, and Ida May Belnavis, 85. He said a daughter who lived with them, Heather Gray, discovered the fire when she returned home with her boyfriend shortly before 1:30 a.m., but they couldn't get inside.
Both victims were in cardiac arrest when firefighters found them inside their ranch-style home. They were pronounced dead at an area hospital. State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan said while the cause of death has not officially been determined, it had "all the signs of severe smoke inhalation."
"A preliminary search did not reveal the presence of any smoke detectors," Coan said. "An early warning is the best prevention of this kind of tragedy."
He said in two other recent fire-related fatalities -- one in Framingham, the other in Stow -- detectors were present but not working.
A neighbor recalled the victims as "very nice," and said Allan Belnavis attended church and was often seen cleaning up his yard.
