MIDDLEBOROUGH – Chief Lance Benjamino reports that the Middleborough Fire Department rescued two elderly residents from a house fire on Montello Street last night.
At approximately 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13, Middleborough Fire responded to 2 Montello St. after receiving a 911 call reporting smoke coming from the home.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke showing from the second floor of the home and determined that the fire was located in the kitchen area of the second floor. Responding crews were initially unable to access the second floor due to a large amount of household items stacked floor to ceiling blocking the entrance.
Once Middleborough Fire Tower 3 arrived, crews were able to gain entry to the attic where the fire had extended.
During the search of the home, crews located two residents on the first floor in a room at the rear of the home. The two individuals were brought to safety outside. They were treated by paramedics at the scene and transported by ambulance to Morton Hospital as a precaution. They are expected to make a full recovery.
Firefighters began an aggressive attack once inside the home and worked quickly to extinguish the fire. Using a ground ladder, Engine 2’s crew accessed the second floor through a window and worked to extinguish the fire in the kitchen area.
No firefighters were injured.
The Middleborough Building Inspector and Board of Health also responded to the scene. Electricity and gas services to the home were shut off by the Middleborough Gas and Electric Company. Due to a large amount of clutter, health officials determined that the house was unsafe for habitation. As a result, the two residents of the home have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross and Board of Health.
Damage to the home is estimated to be approximately $50,000.
The fire is not believed to be suspicious at this time, but the cause remains under investigation by the Middleborough Fire Department. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
This was the second house fire Middleborough Fire responded to on Wednesday, Jan. 13. A fire also occurred earlier Wednesday morning at a home on Wareham Street.
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