WINCHENDON – Fire heavily damaged a two-family home on Benjamin Street early Wednesday evening, according to the Winchendon Fire Department.
The fire at 17 Benjamin St. was reported shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday, according to information provided by the department.
Winchendon Fire Chief Thomas Smith said the first crew arriving on the scene encountered heavy smoke and confirmed that all occupants of the home had safely evacuated.
A second alarm was struck due to heavy smoke and flames, according to Smith, adding that crews fought to contain the fire to an attached garage and vacant apartment. Firefighters who had entered the structure, said Smith, “pushed themselves to the limit to keep the fire from progressing any further.”
Due to the extreme heat, the chief determined a third alarm should be struck to bring in additional mutual aid. Crews were rotated into and out of the home to reduce the risk of heat stress.
The fire was extinguished by 7 p.m., according to a release sent by the department.
One firefighter was transported from the scene, and their condition is not known at this time. Two other firefighters were treated at the scene for heat-related issues.
Mutual aid was provided by the Ashburnham, Athol, Gardner, Templeton, and Westminster departments, as well as crews from Jaffrey, Keene and New Ipswich, New Hampshire. The Winchendon fire station was covered by units from Richmond, New Hampshire, and Phillipston.
Wood’s Ambulance assisted at the scene. Smith also credited the Winchendon Police Department, Winchendon Dispatch, and the town’s building and wiring inspectors for their assistance.
The cause remains under investigation by the District 8 Fire Investigation Unit and the state Fire Marshal’s Office. Preliminary reports indicate the fire was not suspicious in nature.