A Saugus residence has been left with significant damage following a fire that erupted yesterday afternoon. According to WHDH, the homeowner, in a state of panic and disorientation caused by the areal blaze, was reluctant to evacuate without his pets, leading to a situation that required the intervention of two police officers. All three individuals were subsequently hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
The residential structure, which difficultly rests on a steep incline at 16 Acadia Ave., posed unique challenges to the Saugus Fire Department. WCVB reports that Deputy Fire Chief Tom D'Eon described the scene as "a very steep grade right here," adding, "It's a tight neighborhood. We're up on a hill." The conditions necessitated the use of ground ladders since the aerial ladder truck could not reach the home.
Initial confusion was amplified by reports of a potential barricade situation and audio of loud pops, which added to the complexity of the emergency response. Through the thickening smoke visible from neighboring towns, responders discovered the homeowner adamant about not leaving behind his dogs. Efforts to rescue the animals also resulted in a firefighter sustaining a dog bite.
In a further complication, emergency personnel faced a slight language barrier with an homeowner, as stated by WCVB. Nonetheless, officers were able to evacuate the homeowner and pets safely. The pets, including the three dogs and a bird, were rescued and are reported to be safe after the ordeal.
The cause of the conflagration remains undetermined and is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's office. Observers apparently noted that the fire seemed to have originated from a gazebo outside the home before rapidly spreading to its structure. The condition of the homeowner and the officers after the hospital treatment has not been disclosed, nor whether the firefighter’s dog bite required medical attention.
