ORANGE – Two dogs and three cats perished in a fire that severely damaged a single-family home on Rogers Avenue Sunday afternoon.
According to Orange Fire Chief James Young, the residents of 41 Rogers Ave. weren’t home at the time of the two-alarm fire, which was reported by a neighbor at 4:07 p.m. Firefighters from at least eight departments helped extinguish the blaze, with additional departments providing station coverage.
Both neighbors and members of the Orange Police Department attempted to enter the home by a rear door, but were driven back by thick smoke, according to Young.
“A large volume of fire was coming from the front rooms and porch of the house upon arrival,” Young said. “We knocked down the majority of the flames, then did an interior attack to put out the fire and then overhauled looking for hot spots.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Young said, with assistance from investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Young added that the house is uninhabitable. Representatives from the American Red Cross were on their way to aid the displaced residents.
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.
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 Paul Franz at pfranz@recorder.com or 413-930-4128.
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