By Tiffany Williams –
Southbridge, Massachusetts — A fast-moving fire tore through a multi-family home Thursday morning, triggering a three-alarm response, damaging neighboring buildings, and sending one resident to the hospital.
At approximately 11:52 a.m., the Southbridge 911 Dispatch Center received multiple calls reporting smoke and fire coming from the rear porches of a residential building at 9 Twinehurst Street.
Within minutes, the situation escalated.
At 11:54 a.m., Fire Chief Paul Normandin, while responding, saw a heavy column of black smoke and struck a second alarm, pulling in additional crews and mutual aid companies as the fire intensified.
By the time firefighters arrived, flames had already taken hold of the rear porches and were pushing into the second and third floors of the building. The fire didn’t stop there. Nearby homes at 7 and 13 Twinehurst Street were also hit with exposure damage as crews raced to contain the spread.
Just two minutes later, at 11:56 a.m., a third alarm was requested, underscoring how quickly conditions were deteriorating.
Despite the rapid growth of the fire, all residents inside the building managed to get out before crews arrived. Emergency personnel assisted those displaced and coordinated with the American Red Cross to provide support services.
One resident was transported to Harrington Memorial Hospital after experiencing shortness of breath due to smoke inhalation.
Dozens of firefighters flooded the scene. Between 35 and 45 personnel, along with multiple surrounding departments, worked to knock down the fire while also maintaining coverage across the town.
Investigators are now working to determine what sparked the blaze. The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Southbridge Fire Investigation Unit are leading the effort. At this time, the cause remains undetermined.
The damage is significant. Officials estimate losses at approximately $350,000, a figure that could change as insurance assessments continue.
What started as a mid-morning call quickly turned into a major fire fight, stretching resources and leaving multiple families displaced as investigators search for answers.
_______________________
Laura Soukkavong & DeJaune Jones contributed to this article.