The fire that killed 21-year-old Kayla Corrigan at 28 Woodworth Rd. on Dec. 24, 2025, has been ruled accidental, closing a nine-month investigation.

The state Department of Fire Services released its findings the week of Monday, Sept. 14, concluding the blaze likely started in the rightmost of three bays inside the home's attached garage. Investigators found remains of lithium-ion batteries and an electrical outlet with a power strip nearby, along with power tools and ignitable liquids stored in the area, according to the Needham Observer.

Despite identifying those items, investigators could not pinpoint a single ignition source. They classified the cause as "undetermined" under National Fire Protection Association guidelines. That designation applies when two or more hypotheses cannot be rejected, the Boston Globe reported.

Investigators did rule out foul play. Jake Wark, a public information officer for the Department of Fire Services, told Boston.com that investigators "found no evidence of an intentionally set fire." The department's statement described the potential ignition sources as "clearly accidental."

The Needham Fire and Police Departments conducted the investigation alongside State Police units assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office and the Norfolk District Attorney's office.

A seven-hour fight

The fire broke out just before 5 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2025, at the three-story, 6,500-square-foot home on a private way off South Street. Needham Fire Chief Tom Conroy told the Needham Observer in December 2025 that the fire overwhelmed crews from the start.

"As soon as they got there, they had water on the fire. And it was just ripping through the house," Conroy said at the time.

Deputy Chief Steven Guiney, the incident commander, struck the second alarm. Two more alarms followed, bringing equipment from eight other departments. In all, 75 firefighters responded, and the battle lasted more than seven hours. One firefighter received a shock from solar panels on the home but was not seriously injured. Several others were treated at the scene.

Corrigan, a senior at Syracuse University studying marketing management, was found deceased inside the home. Her mother, Christa Corrigan, and sister Alyssa survived.

Demolition underway

Workers have begun tearing down the remains of the home at 28 Woodworth Rd. Jay Derenzo of J. Derenzo Properties said he is under contract to rebuild it for the owner, according to the Needham Observer. No completion timeline has been announced.

A GoFundMe campaign for Christa and Alyssa Corrigan raised more than $180,000 following the fire.