For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 26 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: [email protected]

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: [email protected]

Franklin Firefighters Extinguish Three-Alarm, Multi-Family House Fire 

Firefighter Sustains Minor Injury

FRANKLIN — Fire Chief Gary B. McCarraher reports that the Franklin Fire Department battled a three-alarm house fire on Church Street this afternoon.

The fire department received a 911 call at noon for a report of a fire in a laundry dryer at 11 Church St. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the rear basement of a three-story, four-unit residence. They encountered heavy fire and smoke conditions in the basement and heavy smoke and heat conditions on the first floor.

One resident was home at the time of the fire, but he was able to safely exit the house. The residence was built in the mid 1800s with what is known as “Balloon Frame.”  As a result, fire quickly extended to the first and second floor of the building, triggering a three-alarm response.

Due to the rapid extension of the fire in the walls, firefighters were forced to withdraw from interior and fought the fire from outside of the building. They brought it under control at 2:01 p.m. The building sustained heavy fire damage in the basement, first and second floors. The exact cost of damages is not available at this time. Occupants of the residence will be unable to return and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

One firefighter sustained a minor injury during the incident and was transported to Milford Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The exact origin and cause are under investigation by the Franklin Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office. Firefighters from Norfolk, Bellingham, Wrentham, Foxborough, Medway and Plainville responded to the scene to provide mutual aid while the Walpole Fire Department covered Franklin fire headquarters during the incident.

“This was a very large fire that required hours of firefighting and multiple agencies to put out,” Chief McCarraher said. “Thank you to our neighboring departments for their assistance today.”

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