LONGMEADOW, MA - A fast-moving fire destroyed an occupied single-family, wood-frame home in the Town of Longmeadow on Wednesday, November 8th, but the home's smoke detectors saved the lives of the homeowner and their family by waking them from a sound sleep and allowing them to evacuate the house before the Longmeadow Fire Department arrived.

A central station fire alarm rang in to Longmeadow FD at 9:45 P.M., which was followed up by a 911 call from the property owner stating their home was on fire. On duty LFD firefighters arrived on scene shortly after to find fire burning the 'Charlie' side of the home and extending into the structure via the soffit vents. A second-alarm was ordered and mutual aid from East Longmeadow, MA and North Thompsonville Fire District in Enfield, CT was summoned to the scene, while Shaker Pines Fire District, also from Enfield, was moved up to Longmeadow's firehouse to cover the town. 

Crews on scene began an interior attack on the fire and fought for 20 minutes to try and contain the blaze, but when conditions in the attic worsened, Longmeadow Chief John Dearborn ordered all companies to evacuate the structure and switch to a defensive attack. Once outside the building, hand lines were placed in operation on the 'Bravo' and 'Charlie' sides, and Longmeadow Ladder 1, along with East Longmeadow Ladder 1, put aerial master streams into service to darken down the bulk of the fire from the exterior. Defensive operations were suspended 45 minutes later and crews re-entered the home to chase hot spots and overhaul the building.

Thanks to the homes working smoke detectors, the homeowner and their family did not suffer any serious injuries and were assisted by the Red Cross. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.