Police find tenant missing since fatal Worcester fire

WORCESTER, Mass. -- Police have arrested the tenant who two firefighters were looking for inside a burning building last week. Investigators had been looking for the man for days. The arrest, however, is unrelated to the fire.

The arrest came on the same day that mourners said goodbye to Firefighter Jon Davies who was killed in the blaze.

Investigators say they have yet to determine the cause of the fatal fire.

Police had been looking for 21-year-old Ronald Robbins in connection with last week’s fire that killed Firefighter Davies.

Robbins was arraigned after he was arrested on Tuesday night, on an unrelated charge: an outstanding warrant for a previous assault and battery on his girlfriend.

Police say Robbins was living in the Arlington Street triple-decker that went up in flames. When firefighters arrived to the scene, they say they were told Robbins was trapped inside. Four firefighters rushed into the apartment building to search for him, including Firefighter Davies. Robbins wasn’t inside, but Davies was killed when the burning building collapsed.

Authorities had wanted to question Robbins as a potential witness. They say they questioned him on Tuesday night. Police won’t say if he provided useful information, but he has not been charged with any criminal offenses related to the fire.

Authorities say the investigation into the cause of the fire is still open, and nothing is being ruled out.

Firefighters across the area gathered Wednesday evening at a Worcester funeral home for Davies' wake.

Jared Flanders, an 11-year-old boy, put on a suit and tie and walked about a mile to Davies' wake. He said he wanted to attend because he understands the pain of losing a loved one. He lost his brother in Iraq 5 months ago.

"After what happened to my brother, I just - I would feel bad for the other families and wanted to come support them," said Flanders.

"He understood what the pain of the family was, and he wanted to come here and support the Worcester Fire Department and the family of Jon Davies, which to us says everything about the community of Worcester and its people," said Chief Frank Diliddo of the Worcester Police Department.

Davies' funeral will be held on Thursday.

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