Earlier today in Westborough, Massachusetts, a house fire ignited an urgent rescue operation. As firefighters worked to control the flames, they searched for multiple animals trapped inside a single-family home. NBC Boston reports that the Westborough Fire Department was called to 3 Fisher St. at about 12:54 a.m. and found the house heavily ablaze upon arrival. While all residents had evacuated, the fire department noted that several animals remained inside.

They successfully rescued one dog and four cats from the flames. After the rescue, crews extinguished the fire in approximately 15 minutes, according to NBC Boston. Firefighters remained on the scene for an additional two hours to ensure the safety of the structure and manage aftermath procedures.

Boston 25 News adds that following the rescue, Westborough Fire Chief Patrick Purcell praised his team's swift action, stating, “I would like to commend our crews that made a quick entry into the house to save five animals.” He continued, “They were then able to get the fire under control in a short period of time. This was a great effort by Westborough Fire and our mutual aid partners.”

Investigators believe the fire may have started in the kitchen and dining room area, possibly due to a battery-operated appliance. There were no reported injuries, but the damage to the home was significant, leaving it uninhabitable, with damages estimated at $500,000. The Red Cross of Massachusetts is assisting the displaced families, and neighboring fire stations from Northboro, Southboro, and Hopkinton provided support at the scene.

The incident remains under investigation to determine the fire's origin, with updates expected as more information is available.