A devastating three-alarm fire in Fitchburg yesterday morning has left several residents without homes and resulted in injuries to three occupants and a firefighter. Fire officials responded to the scene at 153 Ashburnham Street after receiving a report of the blaze around 9:25 a.m., finding heavy smoke and flames emanating from the building's rear.
The rapid spread of the fire required rescue efforts for two individuals trapped inside; one was saved from a second-floor window and the other from an interior stairway. According to a statement obtained by the Massachusetts Government website, one victim was later airlifted to a Boston hospital for treatment. The third occupant suffered injuries as well, with all expected to eventually recover.
The Fitchburg Fire Department and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office have begun to piece together the circumstances of the fire. While the investigation is ongoing, a space heater and smoking materials, found on an enclosed rear porch, are currently being considered as contributing factors. In light of this incident, State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine issued a precaution, stating, "If you use a space heater at home, please be sure to keep anything that can burn at least three feet away on all sides."
This fire is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by heating equipment, which rank as the second leading cause of residential fires in Massachusetts. The past five years alone have seen a staggering nearly 6,000 home heating fires, as noted on the Massachusetts Government website. These fires have tragically claimed eight lives, injured 139 people including firefighters and caused more than $42 million in damages. Marshal Davine stressed the importance of safety when using space heaters to avoid such fires, advising residents to "Plug it directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord, and always turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep."
In the meantime, organizations such as the Red Cross of Massachusetts and the Salvation Army are stepping in to support those displaced by the fire. In light of the holiday season, the timing of this disaster adds a layer of sorrow to an already somber situation. Fire Chief Dante Suarez encapsulated the sentiment of the community, saying, "This is a terrible time of year for an event like this,” said Chief Suarez. “Our hearts go out to the people who were injured and the families that lost their homes."
