ORANGE — A malfunctioning steam boiler that ignited nearby combustibles in the basement was determined to be the cause of a three-alarm fire that damaged a two and a half story home at 31 High Street Friday. All occupants had safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
Close friend of the family Crystal Desrosiers has set up a GoFund me page
Desrosiers believes the structure, a wood frame building constructed in 1900, may be saved, but will have to be partially gutted. Black settled in Orange about 12 years ago.
According to the fire department, the structure fire was reported at 4:45 p.m. and the on duty crew struck a first alarm bringing in all available off-duty personnel. While enroute to the scene, Shelburne Control Dispatch reported all occupants had safely evacuated, and the Orange Police Department was on scene, reporting smoke and flames showing. Based on that information, mutual aid was requested.
Engine 2 arrived on scene and found heavy fire engulfing the front entranceway of the house. The balloon-frame construction residence had an attached barn in the rear. Chief James Young and Deputy Chief William Gale observed heavy fire engulfing the front entranceway of the house and a 2nd alarm was struck for additional resources. The fire had moved from the basement up to the first floor, out the front door and eventually up to the second floor.
The chief stated the older home’s balloon framing likely contributed to the speed at which the fire traveled up the floors and through walls.
The initial crew went to work stretching a line from a nearby hydrant and knocking down the visible fire from the entryway before moving inside. Once inside crews had to search for and knock down fire that was traveling within the walls from floor to floor. Access to the second floor was initially hindered by a hole that had burned through the second floor hallway near the top of the staircase.
As mutual aid arrived, crews were split between the basement, first, second and attic floors searching for and extinguishing flames.
Due to the stubbornness of the fire being chased throughout the building the Chief ordered a third alarm, bringing companies to stage at the Orange Fire Station and firefighters began to rotate into the scene to provide relief to the working crews.
There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters, and the home was properly equipped with working smoke detectors that were sounding.
All units were cleared from the scene at approx 9 p.m. The fire was investigated jointly by the Orange Fire Department and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Fire Investigation Unit, and the cause determined to be a malfunctioning steam boiler in the basement that ignited nearby combustibles. Chief Young said the combustibles were wood structural components of the building. He said much of the structure was saved, and he believes the building is salvageable. He said there was smoke damage to the attached barn, but no structural damage occurred there.
On its Facebook page, the Orange Fire Department stated, “Our thoughts are with the family involved in this incident just before the holiday.”
Desrosiers said Jodi had just arrived home from work and Bell, a retired Army veteran, was letting out one of their three dogs and didn’t have her jacket on when they noticed smoke and called 911. The two women, Bell’s 12-year-old son, as well as an adult male, roommate Eric Marcel, quickly fled the premises.
The family has three dogs, one a service dog, and one cat. One dog is staying with the family, one with an aunt, and the third is being boarded at Mt. Tully Kennels for the time being. Only one dog got out with its collar and leash. The other two dogs had no collars on in the house. The service dog was not wearing its vest at the time of evacuation.
Desrosiers is taking care of the family cat. A second cat could not be saved.
Desrosiers said the family’s immediate concerns are for the pets, and donations of dog and cat food would be welcome. They have received some donated clothing, and she noted they do have insurance on the home. The next step will be to go through the home, see what is salvageable and see what needs to be replaced.
Desrosiers said Jodi, who begins cooking classes at Johnson & Wales Culinary School in a couple weeks, is hoping they can save some of her kitchen utensils, which remains to be seen when they are able to go through the house. She noted that Jodi, who loves the Christmas holiday, had already done a great deal of holiday shopping “she started six months ago, and the living room was already piled with gifts” she said, adding, it is hoped some of those items can be saved.
Desrosiers said donated food, items or gift cards for the kennel or Walmart for general use may be dropped off at her home at 245 Brookside Road, Athol.
The family will be spending Thanksgiving with friends and it was noted the son’s birthday is coming up in a couple weeks.
Desrosiers said the family is extremely thankful for the firefighters’ fast response and the kindness and hard work, and the generosity of the community.
The Orange Fire Department issued a reminder: “As the weather gets colder and we expect our heating systems to work hard to keep us warm, they need to be properly cleaned and maintained.
We would like to thank all mutual aid companies that responded, Shelburne Control for an outstanding job organizing mutual aid and maintaining control on the radio, the Salvation Army for refreshments and drinks, and our members who gave up their Friday night home to respond.”