One Resident Rescued from Roof Overhang by Responding Stoneham Police Officers
STONEHAM — Fire Chief Matthew Grafton and Police Chief James McIntyre report that the Stoneham Fire and Police Departments responded to a two-alarm fire at a home this afternoon.
At approximately 12:25 p.m., Stoneham Group 4 firefighters were dispatched to 16 Flint Ave. for reports of a fire at a single-family residence. Stoneham Engines 2 and 3 and Ladder 1 arrived on-scene and located fire coming from the kitchen on the home’s first floor and smoke coming from all windows.
Before firefighters arrived, a female resident had climbed out of a second floor window and onto the roof overhang. Responding officers from Stoneham Police instructed her to jump from the overhang and she was caught by Officers Stephen Aprile and John Burton. The female resident was the only person in the home at the time of the fire.
A second alarm was struck upon arrival. Crews from the Woburn, Melrose, Wakefield, Winchester and Reading fire departments assisted at the scene. Saugus, Medford and Malden firefighters responded to provide station coverage. Chief Grafton would also like to thank Stoneham’s Department of Public Works and Action Ambulance for their assistance on scene.
Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading to the rest of the house. However, the house sustained heavy damage due to smoke and water. The damages are estimated to be approximately $150,000-200,000.
The family of six who resides in the house was displaced and is being assisted by family and friends in the area.
One dog was rescued from the home and was taken to a veterinarian for evaluation. No firefighters were injured.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Department, Stoneham Police Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 2:45 p.m. Saturday.
“Today marks the last day of Fire Prevention Week and the theme for this year covered how important it is for people to have an escape plan to get out of their home,” Chief Grafton said. “The resident who was at home at the time of today’s fire is an excellent example of someone who knew to find an available escape route and got herself safely out of the house as quickly as possible.”
Click here for videos from the scene.
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