On Friday evening, the Rindge Fire Department responded to a house fire that was eventually raised to a three-alarm fire.
According to a release from the department, at 8:44 p.m. on Friday, crews responded to the home on Butternut Lane for a reported issue with a wood stove. When Rindge Fire Department officials arrived, Lt. Joseph Bevilacqua noticed heavy smoke and visible fire coming from the rear of the 2 1/2-story home. The fire was immediately upgraded to a first alarm.
Crews confirmed that all people and animals were out of the building. Within 12 minutes of the fire being reported, the first engine arrived at the scene and began attacking the fire, extinguishing the fire visible from the rear exterior, where it had broken through around the chimney. Crews entered the home and found a rapidly spreading fire in the attic, according to the Fire Department, and worked to access the fire to extinguish it.
The fire was upgraded to a second alarm at 9 a.m.. Due to water supply issues and windy conditions, within another 10 minutes, the fire was raised to a third alarm. Crews established a water supply through a mutual aid engine transporting water from Crowcroft Pond. Over the next hour, crews extinguished the flames and overhauled the home to check to see if the fire had spread. The fire was under control by 10:16 p.m., and the fire crews were able to clear the scene by 11:30 p.m.,
Early Saturday morning, the department returned to the scene after a report of fire in the attic. The engine arrived at 8:37 a.m., and firefighters found smoke in the attic. The fire was upgraded to a first alarm.
Deputy Fire Chief Chris Hill arrived at the scene at 8:38 a.m., and requested an additional engine and tanker on the scene while crews began to fight the fire in the attic, after flames were found running through about half the length of the attic peak. After the fire was extinguished, crews overhauled the attic, removing insulation and checking for hot spots again.
“Due to the large size and many partially compartmentalized spaces on the second floor and attic areas of the structure, access to areas involved in fire was difficult at times,” Bevilacqua stated.
The fire was under control by 10:33 a.m., and the scene was cleared by 11:30 a.m., A Fire Department unit was left on scene for several hours to continue to monitor the building for hot spots.
There were no injuries associated with either incident. The fire has been determined to be accidental, with an initial investigation indicating that a faulty fireplace enclosure was the cause of the fire. The owners of the home are being supported by friends and family.
The Rindge Fire Department was assisted on scene by fire crews from Winchendon, Mass., Troy; Fitzwilliam; New Ipswich; Ashby, Mass;. and Ashburnham, Mass., along with the Rindge Police Department. Fire departments from Richmond and Templeton, Mass., covered the Rindge Fire Department during the incidents. The Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance also responded.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.