One adult was killed and two others injured in a fire that broke out in Fitchburg on Friday, according to authorities.
Fitchburg firefighters responded to the fire at the triple-decker building on Hartford Street shortly after 7:20 a.m. There, they found heavy smoke and flames and rescued one person from the second floor. That person was taken to the hospital and later died from their injuries, according to a statement from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Two others who escaped from the building were injured and given medical treatment, the statement said.
“While it’s still early in the investigation, we know that smoke alarms are important tools for preventing tragedies like this one,” said Fitchburg Fire Chief Dante W. Suarez. “Working smoke alarms should be present on every floor of every home.”
Investigators believe the fire began in a hallway on the first floor near the front right side of the building, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The cause has not yet been determined.
“You could have less than three minutes to escape a fire at home,” State Fire Marshal Ostroskey said in the statement. “Fire is fast and every second counts. Creating and practicing a home escape plan that includes two ways out can reduce your risk of injury or death in a fire. Be sure everyone at home can understand and use the plan, including children, seniors, and persons with disabilities.”
The fire is being jointly investigated by local authorities and Massachusetts State Police, officials said.
©2022 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit masslive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
