WORCESTER — A Worcester woman has pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder in connection with a 2022 apartment fire that claimed four lives and injured several others, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Yvonne Ngoiri, 39, whose last known address was in Worcester, was sentenced to four concurrent life sentences with parole eligibility after 20 years. Ngoiri also pleaded guilty to two counts of arson of a dwelling, 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.
In addition to the life sentences, Ngoiri received 18 to 20 years for the arson charges, 14 to 15 years for the assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, and 9 to 10 years for the two other assault charges. All sentences will be served concurrently.
“We hope this result brings a measure of justice to the four families who lost a loved one, the three people who were injured, and the many others who lost their homes and belongings in this tragic fire,” Early said.
The four-alarm fire broke out at 3:31 a.m. on May 14, 2022, at a three-decker home located at 2 Gage Street. Four people died as a result of the blaze: Joseph Garchali, 47; Christopher Lozeau, 53; Vincent Page, 41; and Marcel Fontaine, 29. Their deaths were caused by smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, authorities said.
One person jumped from a window during the fire and was seriously injured. Two other residents were hospitalized with smoke inhalation. The fire also spread to a neighboring property at 5 Eastern Ave., causing additional damage.
Investigators determined the fire originated at the rear of 2 Gage Street and was incendiary in nature. Ngoiri, a former resident of the building, was arrested on Sept. 29, 2022, and has been in custody since.
The case was investigated by the Worcester Police Department Detective Bureau and Crime Scene Unit, Worcester Fire Department Investigative Unit, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in collaboration with prosecutors from the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
“It took the tireless work of all the investigators to bring the case to this result, and we thank them,” Early said. “I would also like to thank Assistant District Attorney Joseph Simmons and Victim Witness Advocate Maria Deyette for all of their efforts on this case.”
