HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – A Hampden-based company has had their commercial cooking exhaust hood cleaner’s license suspended following an investigation into a fire at Holyoke Mall.

Jake Wark, spokesperson for the state fire marshal’s office, said Joseph Gorecki and his business, Gorecki and Sons LLC, have been barred from performing any regulated work until September 2029.

A joint investigation by state and local fire officials found that Gorecki & Sons allegedly failed to properly clean ductwork of grease, failed to document the work accurately, and failed to notify the property owner of any inaccessible, unclean, noncompliant areas. “Gorecki admitted to these violations and similar violations at three restaurants in Haverhill, Westfield, and Marlborough,” Wark added.

A three-alarm fire, which took firefighters four hours to put out, broke out in ductwork at Holyoke Mall on Friday, February 18 after sparks from work in the area ignited built-up grease in the exhaust ducts. No serious injuries were reported. Neither Gorecki, nor his business, is alleged to have started the fire.

“[The Fire Code’s hood cleaning provisions] were put in place after a grease fire in restaurant duct work killed two firefighters. The overwhelming majority of hood cleaning license holders understand the risks and do effective, professional work. Those who don’t put people and businesses in harm’s way,” said Mass. State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

Wark added that the company could seek reinstatement after 15 months if Gorecki takes and passes a state certification exam. The remaining 15 months would be considered probation, during which Gorecki’s individual and business licenses could again be suspended and new penalties could be imposed if he violates any aspect of the State Fire Code.

Anyone aware of hood cleaning work performed by Joseph Gorecki or Gorecki and Sons prior to September 2027 is asked to contact the Department of Fire Service’s Code Compliance and Enforcement Unit at 978-567-3375.

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