05/17/2023 - ROCKLAND, MASSACHUSETTS (PLYMOUTH COUNTY) - Around 1545 hours on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 17, 2023 the Rockland Fire Department responded to a reported building fire at 181 Manzella Court. Companies arrived to find smoke showing from the rear of a 1-story, 60x20 residential duplex. A working fire was requested, bringing mutual aid companies from Abington, Hanover, Pembroke and Whitman to the scene and a Hanson engine for station coverage. The fire appeared to have started outside the building, and extended to the building. A hand line was stretched to the rear of the building to quickly knock down that fire. As companies opened up, they found the fire had extended into the house and into the attic space where companies found heavy fire. An additional line was stretched inside and companies were able to open up and quickly extinguish the fire. The Abington tower company opened up the roof, the Hanover company assisted on the interior, and Whitman's engine worked as the RIT team. Following the fire being knocked down, Rockland Lieutenant Charlie Williams emerged from the house with the family cat, seemingly uninjured. The cat was safely returned to the occupants. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the occupants.
