At
1:19 a.m. the Auburn Police Department began receiving 911 calls reporting a
fire at 34 Rydberg Terrace Ext. The first arriving Engine reported a large
volume of fire coming from the side and rear of the home and immediately struck
a 3rd alarm.
The
family was home at the time of the fire and all escaped without serious injury,
including an elderly woman who is in a wheel chair. A woman was transported
from the scene of the fire to the hospital with a medical condition and the
home owner was looked at on scene with minor burns to his arm. The elderly
woman was taken from the scene and relocated with other family. It is believed
that one of the three family pets perished in the fire.
Auburn
Fire Rescue Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. said that the family was very lucky to
escape without serious injury. “Fortunately the home owner got up because he
heard some noises. When he looked out the window he saw the flames in the rear
of the house. He ran outside and realized the fire was much too large to
contain so he ran back in and yelled for everyone to get out of the home. They
were able to get his elderly mother out of the home quickly before it was too
late”. Coleman said.
The
Auburn Fire Rescue Department received mutual aid on scene from the Leicester,
Millbury and Oxford Fire Departments. Charlton, Leicester and Millbury also
provided station coverage during the incident.
The
fire is under investigation by members of the Auburn Fire Investigation Unit.
The cause is not yet known however it does not appear to be suspicious. The Red
Cross will be notified to provide assistance to the family.
Rydberg
Terrace was the scene of another house fire two months ago at number 27, just
doors away from the fire this morning.
Pictures for media use.
Contact
Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800
gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us
Pictures for media use.
