GREENFIELD — A cat died in a house fire that occurred at approximately 1 a.m. on White Birch Avenue early Tuesday morning.
“Our thoughts are with the family,” Greenfield Fire Chief Robert Strahan said. “The damage to the house was extensive and the loss of a family pet is always difficult.”
Strahan said that at 1:02 a.m., the department received a call about a fire at 54 White Birch Ave. Crews quickly responded and found “a large volume of fire” in the rear of the one-story, single-family home, which was occupied by two adults and two children at the time.
“All members of the family were able to exit the house, along with one cat,” Strahan said. “Unfortunately, one other cat did not make it.”
Strahan said mutual aid was provided by firefighters from South Deerfield, Turners Falls, Bernardston, Northfield and Brattleboro, Vermont. Additionally, the Erving Fire Department covered the Greenfield Fire Station and the Gill Fire Department provided station coverage for Turners Falls during the response.
With several crews on scene, Strahan said firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and cleared the scene by 4:30 a.m.
Strahan said an initial investigation by the Greenfield Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office indicated the fire was likely started by the clothes dryer.
“The fire is believed to be accidental,” Strahan said, “caused in the area of the dryer.”
