The alarm sounded at 0055 hours for a structure fire on Ecoff Avenue on Oct 31. Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to a scene of heavy smoke, heavy fire showing. In the structure, a family struggled to escape.
"The family had double deadbolt locks on the doors," said Lt. Matt Coffin of Chesterfield Fire and EMS. "In the fire they were fumbling for the keys. Finally the father broke out some windows. One of the kids went out on their own. The father pulled two others out through the windows, then the remaining adult escaped."
While performing a fire attack on the interior of the structure, two firefighters sustained first and second degree burns on their upper back area, officials said. The two firefighters were transported to Chippenham Hospital where they were treated and released. Their names have not been released.
The fire was marked under control at 0204 hours.
The home was completely gutted.
Responding were: Engine 1 (Chester), Engine and Truck 14 (Dutch Gap), Engine 17 (Centralia), Ambulance 522, TSO, and Battalion 2.
Providing Station coverage was Engine 11 (Dale) for Station 1 (Chester), Engine 18 (River's Bend) for Station 14 (Dutch Gap) and Truck 12 (Ettrick) for Station 14 (Dutch Gap).
Coffin said an investigation determined the fire was caused by one of the juveniles playing with a lighter. The child set a blanket on fire, said Coffin, which quickly spread through the bedroom and then the rest of the house.
Officials said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
The Red Cross is assisting the family.
