Two people were killed early Christmas morning when a fire broke out at a multi-family home in Acushnet, authorities said Wednesday.
The victims were believed to be a man and a woman in their 80s, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services.
“On behalf of the Acushnet Fire Department, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ family and loved ones,” Acushnet Fire Chief Thomas Farland said in a statement. “This is a heartbreaking day for them and our community.”
Responding to multiple 911 calls, members of the Acushnet fire and police departments arrived at 34 Garfield St. just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, where they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the two-and-a-half-story home.
One resident had escaped the burning home after a neighbor saw the fire and pounded on the door. But three others were missing, firefighters learned.
Firefighters entered the home, where flames had caused “major structural damage” and partially collapsed the roof. They found two residents dead inside, the Department of Fire Services said. The remaining missing resident, firefighters were later told, was out of the country traveling.
Witnesses and first responders told investigators did not hear the sound of smoke alarms when they arrived at the home, the department statement said.
It took more than an hour for firefighters to bring the flames under control. One firefighter was brought to a hospital for evaluation but is expected to recover, according to the department.
The state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is charged with formally identifying the victims and determining the official cause of their deaths.
Officials said the cause of the fire was under investigation by the Acushnet Fire Department, Acushnet Police Department, Massachusetts State Police investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office, and members of the State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office, with help from the Department of Fire Services’ Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit.
“Our hearts go out to the family at a time of such terrible loss,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in a statement. “We’ve seen too many tragedies this year. Please, if you do one thing today, talk to the people you care about and be sure they have working smoke alarms on every level of their homes.”
The Fairhaven Fire Department and Mattapoisett Emergency Medical Services provided mutual aid to Acushnet first responders during the fire. They also received support from Providence Canteen, a nonprofit that assists first responders during emergencies.
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