WORCESTER — A 36-year-old woman was indicted on four counts of second-degree murder and two counts of arson of a dwelling in connection with a fire last May at 2 Gage Street, which claimed the lives of four people.
Investigators believe Yvonne Ngoiri, who was a resident of 2 Gage Street, deliberately set fire to the building. However, according to Mass Live, there was no mention of a motive during her arraignment in Worcester Superior Court Friday, where she plead not guilty.
According to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, Ngoiri was also indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury on two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.
The four-alarm fire, which took place on May 14 in the three-decker home on 2 Gage Street began at 3:31 a.m.
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During the fire, a resident leapt from the building and survived with serious injuries. Two other residents were taken to the hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation and four people died.
Those who passed away were later identified as: Joseph Garchali, 47, Christopher Lozeau, 53, Vincent Page, 41, and Marcel Fontaine, 29. According to the Worcester District Attorney’s Office, the cause of death for all four of the aforementioned individuals was a combination of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
Two Gage Street was a total loss following the fire. An adjacent building, 5 Eastern Avenue, was also damaged in the fire.
Following her arraignment, Ngoiri was held without bail.
She is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 29.