09/23/2020 - WEST BRIDGEWATER, MASSACHUSETTS (PLYMOUTH COUNTY) - Around 1720 hours on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 23, 2020 for a reported building fire at 35 E Center Street (Route-106). Companies arrived and found heavy fire and smoke showing from a 2-story wood framed farm house. Shortly after companies arrival, a second alarm was struck, bringing in mutual aid companies to the scene and to cover the town's fire station. Crews began with an aggressive interior attack, and hit the heavy fire on the "B" side of the building. Interior crews were able to stretch several hand lines and make some progress, but the fire was too far ahead of them. The fire spread quickly throughout the occupied dwelling. Companies moved to a defensive posture, stretching large hand lines to each side of the building. Additional companies were called in one-by-one over the second alarm assignment to the smoky blaze, eventually being just an engine and truck short of a fourth alarm assignment. In addition to the West Bridgewater companies on-scene, mutual aid engines from Bridgewater, Easton, East Bridgewater, Halifax, Raynham, Whitman responded directly to the scene, while a Hanson engine covered West Bridgewater's headquarters. Ambulances from Brockton and Bridgewater and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Rehab-6 responded to the scene also. Crews remained on-scene for several hours applying water from several large hand lines and a ladder pipe. At least one firefighter was transported to a local hospital from the scene with reportedly minor injuries. The house was a total loss and residents were not able to return to the building. All occupants were accounted for, but several animals reportedly perished in the fire. The Red Cross responded to assist the residents. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's Office.
