WHATELY — Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire in a one-and-a half-story, single-family home at 15 North St. on Sunday that resulted in a cat rescue, but no injuries.
At 11:50 a.m., the Shelburne Control Dispatch Center received a 911 call when one of the two residents returned home, heard a smoke alarm and noticed smoke in the rear of the 1,700-square-foot building, according to Whately Fire Chief JP Kennedy. He added that the homeowner did not enter the home, but observed the smoke and heard the alarm outside.
In addition to Whately, the call summoned mutual aid from the South Deerfield, Conway and Hatfield fire departments, along with South County EMS, the Deerfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The initial three Whately firefighters arrived within eight minutes, Kennedy said. Neighbors and retired Whately firefighters Alan and Brad Sanderson of Fairview Farms also helped extinguish the fire.
“The bulk of the fire was quickly knocked down with an aggressive interior attack,” Kennedy said, adding that Whately firefighters used a fire hydrant and a tanker truck, and South Deerfield Fire District brought a ladder truck. After extinguishing the fire, the Whately firefighters remained on scene for two hours.
Kennedy said the rear room where the fire started sustained the majority of the fire damage, with heavy smoke damage sustained throughout the house, but he believes the home will likely be able to be repaired.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, which was likely electrical, according to Kennedy.
The American Red Cross assisted the homeowners, who are staying with family.
The state Department of Fire Services regularly reminds residents at Daylight Savings Time to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and change the alkaline batteries in alarms that use them.
“This fire underscores the importance of functioning smoke alarms,” Kennedy said, “especially as we enter the heating season.”
