A fire burned through a home in Middleborough, Massachusetts, on Monday night, and one man has now died after being rescued by emergency crews.
The fire took over a two-story home on Locust Street before 10 p.m. Monday. One man was inside the home, and firefighters were able to get him out of the building through a side entryway. He was suffering from smoke inhalation and burns, according to fire officials.
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“When we transported him out of here he was transported to Rhode Island hospital with life-threatening injuries," said Middleborough Fire Chief Owen Thompson, who praised firefighters for their actions pulling the 67-year-old from the blaze.
“The two members who went in and were able to locate and remove that victim did an absolutely incredible job in the face of severe fire conditions," Thompson said. "They were really true firefighters today and showed what bravery and dedication they have to this town and what this fire department wants to do and strives to do every single day when they come to work.”
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The chief said firefighters had been to the home before for medical calls and had a sense of where the man regularly spent time, which helped during the rescue.
Fire officials confirmed Wednesday morning that the man had died as a result of injuries sustained in the fire. He has been identified as Nathaniel Williams. The chief medical examiner's office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death.
“On behalf of the entire Middleborough Fire Department, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to the victim's family and loved ones," Thompson said in a statement Wednesday.
Crews said that flames were intense, with smoke and fire coming from the first floor extending up through the second floor. Firefighters began attacking the flames from the outside, eventually putting a lid on the fire. They were on scene throughout the night putting out hot spots.
Thompson noted there were hoarding conditions in the home, but said the biggest challenge was that the fire had about 18 minutes of lead time to burn before firefighters arrived -- 12 minutes before neighbors noticed the flames and called 911, and six minutes for crews to arrive.
A cause has not yet been determined, but an investigation is ongoing.
No additional information has been released.
