Fire Destroys Washington Street Home

Canton firefighters took extra care to salvage a military funeral flag, in case, walking the blackened piece of history to the fire engine for safe keeping.

The crews were working their way through the remnants of a two-alarm blaze at 1842 Washington Street. The fire left an old home burned out and the contents of the house strewn across the front lawn.

It took fire crews from Canton, Stoughton, Norwood and Sharon to battle the 4:00 p.m. fire, which was extinguished after about an hour. Crews were on scene well past 6:30 p.m.

"We're really not even close to determining the cause," Canton Fire Chief Charles Doody said at the wet and smoky scene. "There was at least $100,000 worth of damages."

The home, which was filled with old furniture, clothes and newspapers visible on the front lawn, was vacant "as far as we are aware," Doody said. The chief said the elderly resident of the home was currently in a medical facility.

Neighbors on the scene said an elderly woman had lived there.

An old car, trailer and caravan without license plates sat in the driveway, soaked by the water from the fire hoses.

"It will take time to take it apart," the chief said of working through the contents of the home. "There's just so much stuff."

All of the ten Canton firefighters on duty responded to the fire, with one engine, one ladder, an ambulance and crews from Stoughton Fire, Norwood Fire and Sharon Fire. The Westwood, Brockton and Randolph fire departments covered the Canton fire stations. Canton Police blocked off a portion of Washington for over two hours.

The Canton building commisioner will now determine if the home is salvageable, according to the chief.

No firefighters were injured while battling the blaze. "Everyone is safe right now," Doody said.