Neighbors and firefighters rescued a man whose home was on fire in Northfield on Monday.
Passers-by first noticed the fire that broke out in Tom Pelletier's garage on Arch Street. The flames quickly spread to Pelletier's home.
Pelletier, who works overnights, was sound asleep inside.
"The neighbors were all up here running around, they pounded on the door a few times and said nobody was home," said Northfield Fire Department Lt. Chris Harris.
Harris realized that some dogs were inside the home. He worked with neighbors to bust through a fence and then a door to get them out. Harris was surprised when he found Pelletier inside the kitchen.
"I walked to the kitchen to see who was banging. First thing I see is the fire," said Pelletier.
"He had no idea the house was on fire. He looked like a deer in the headlights when he saw me bust through the door," said Harris.
Firefighters and neighbors were able to get Pelletier and his dog out of the house. Pelletier then went to a neighbor's house to stay warm. Ironically, that same neighbor's garage burned down on New Year's Eve and Pelletier gave him shelter during that fire.
Pelletier's garage was leveled and a portion of the home was heavily damaged. The family will be staying with relatives until repairs are made.
Pelletier said he's thankful for all of the people who worked to make sure he was safe.
"Neighbors are important. That's why we live here. We like our neighbors," said Pelletier.
Investigators said the fire was an accident. They believe that some ashes left in the garage were blown by the wind and ignited the fire in a nearby pile of garbage.
