WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester woman has pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder and multiple related charges in connection with a deadly 2022 fire that killed four people and injured three others, prosecutors announced Monday.
Key Points
- Yvonne Ngoiri, 39, pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree murder and multiple assault and arson charges.
- The May 14, 2022, fire killed four men and injured three others at 2 Gage St. in Worcester.
- Ngoiri was sentenced to four concurrent life sentences with parole eligibility after 20 years.
Fire killed four, injured three, destroyed homes
Yvonne Ngoiri, whose last known address was in Worcester, was sentenced to four concurrent life sentences with parole eligibility after 20 years. She also received additional concurrent sentences for arson and assault-related charges.
The four-alarm blaze broke out around 3:31 a.m. on May 14, 2022, at a three-decker home at 2 Gage St. Four victims — Joseph Garchali, 47; Christopher Lozeau, 53; Vincent Page, 41; and Marcel Fontaine, 29 — died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
Victims leapt from building to escape flames
In the fire’s chaos, one resident was seriously injured after jumping from a window to escape. Two others were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. The fire also spread to a nearby building at 5 Eastern Ave., causing additional property damage.
Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set in the rear area of the building. Ngoiri, a former resident of 2 Gage St., was arrested on September 29, 2022, and has remained in custody since.
Multiple agencies led complex investigation
The case was investigated by the Worcester Police Department, Worcester Fire Department, Massachusetts State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Prosecutors from the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office led the legal proceedings.
“We hope this result brings a measure of justice to the four families who lost a loved one,” said District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.