ORANGE — A fire that killed two dogs and three cats at 41 Rogers Ave. on Sunday afternoon was determined to have started on the left side of the house’s first floor, according to a state Department of Fire Services spokesperson.
However, Jake Wark said the exact cause of the blaze has yet to be determined as of Monday afternoon. The cause remains under investigation by his agency and the Orange Fire Department.
According to Orange Fire Chief James Young, the single-family home’s residents weren’t present when the fire began. The fire was reported by a neighbor at 4:07 p.m.
Neighbors and Orange Police officers were driven back by thick smoke when they attempted to enter the home through a rear door.
“We knocked down the majority of the flames,” Young said on Sunday, “then did an interior attack to put out the fire and then overhauled looking for hot spots.”
On Monday, Young said the family — consisting of two adults and four children — has opted to stay with loved ones. He said the home is uninhabitable and he is not sure if it will need to be demolished.
“There’s extensive fire and smoke damage throughout,” Young said in a phone interview. “I don’t know if the building will be salvageable, but it’s uninhabitable at this time.”
Witty’s Funeral Home is accepting monetary donations to support the displaced family. Checks, made payable to the funeral home, can be dropped off at 158 South Main St. in Orange or mailed. Office Manager Tom Smith said checks will be cashed and the money will be turned over to the family. He also said a record of each donation will be kept and given to the family.
According to Young, one firefighter sustained minor injuries due to falling debris, but was medically evaluated on scene and did not need to be transported to a hospital. The chief said the firefighter will not miss any work.
Firefighters responded to 41 Rogers Ave. from Orange, Athol, New Salem, Erving, Warwick, Turners Falls, Greenfield and Phillipston. The Northfield and Wendell Fire departments provided station coverage. The Orange Police Department and Wood’s Ambulance also responded.
Reach Domenic Poli at dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120. Reach Paul Franz at pfranz@recorder.com or 413-930-4128.
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