ATHOL — One firefighter was injured and at least one dog perished in a house fire on Pequoig Avenue on Thursday afternoon. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
According to Athol Fire Chief John Duguay, the department received a call about the fire at 446 Pequoig St. before 1 p.m. The department dispatched two engines, a ladder truck and a car. When firefighters arrived, flames were showing on the second flood of the three-family home. Firefighters attempted to fight the fire from within, without success, according to department reports.
The state marshal and Athol police and fire are investigating. Names of the occupants are not yet being released, and it is unclear how many lived in each apartment. The injured firefighter’s name is not yet being released. According to the Fire Department, the firefighter was taken to the hospital, but there is no word on their condition.
Additional engines and firefighters from Royalston, Templeton, New Salem, Erving and Winchendon helped, as well as an aerial ladder truck from Gardner. Barre provided station cover. Woods and Medstar ambulances were on the scene.
National Grid cut the power to the building. Others in the area lost power, including the Athol Daily News, but they regained power by 2 p.m.
The Salvation Army in Athol brought refreshments for firefighters and are looking for temporary housing for the occupants of the building. Several pets were saved, but at least one dog perished and another could not be located as of late yesterday.
The town’s Department of Public Works was notified that several hydrants in the area needed to be open and roads needed to be closed.
Athol Police Department assisted, controlling traffic and assisting on the scene.
Neighboring residents gathered outside their homes as units responded to the structure fire, watching billowing smoke pour out of the residence once the flames were knocked down.