A Southbridge woman is in critical condition after firefighters pulled her from a burning two-family home on South Street Monday afternoon, following frantic attempts by bystanders to reach her before crews arrived.
Firefighters got to the first-floor resident during a primary search, then rushed her to a local hospital before she was flown to a Boston-area trauma center. Witnesses at the scene tried to help as smoke poured from the building and flames spread through the house.
According to Boston 25 News, crews were called just after 3 p.m. and quickly launched a search and rescue that brought the victim out of the building. She was first transported to UMass Memorial–Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, then taken by helicopter to a Boston-area hospital, the outlet reports. Boston 25 says a 3-alarm was struck to bring in extra help.
Where It Happened And How Fire Crews Took It On
Local coverage identified the address as 417 South Street and reported that mutual-aid crews from neighboring towns were called in to help knock down a fast-moving fire. Western Mass News noted that firefighters had to start their attack from the outside because flames blocked interior access, and that the two-family home was later declared uninhabitable. Officials have not yet released a cause.
Fire Chief Describes A Chaotic Rescue
Southbridge Fire Chief Paul Normandin said crews arrived to a chaotic scene, with residents “screaming” for help, and that firefighters had to move fast to keep the situation from getting even worse. Coverage by WCVB reports the woman was unconscious when firefighters reached her and had suffered burns and smoke inhalation, a stark reminder of how quickly a house fire can turn life-threatening.
Injuries, Response And An Ongoing Investigation
Boston 25 News reports that about 50 firefighters ultimately responded after the 3-alarm was struck. Crews had the fire under control by about 3:27 p.m., though units stayed on scene until 6:24 p.m. A second tenant was taken to a hospital for unrelated medical issues after arriving at the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A Town Still On Edge After Big Blazes
Southbridge is no stranger to devastating fires. In November 2024, a Union Street blaze displaced a dozen families and was later ruled arson, according to Boston.com. In the wake of those incidents, local leaders have repeatedly urged residents to keep smoke alarms working and to stay alert to fire risks. For larger incidents like Monday’s fire, local and state investigators typically work side by side, and authorities are again asking anyone with information to come forward.
Town officials have not released the injured woman’s name and declined further comment while the investigation continues. This story will be updated as officials release more details.
