Fire Chief: Smoke Detectors Saved Lives in Holliston Fire

Up to date smoke detectors helped to save lives in a fire that broke out in Holliston on Friday.

On Nov. 14, around 2:45 p.m., the Holliston Police and Fire Departments responded to a report of smoke a residence on Rockland Street.

When they got there, public safety personnel found a moderate smoke condition, with the detectors going off in the house. The fire department shut off the power at the main electrical panel in the basement, and discovered a smoldering washing machine in a mud room on the first floor.

The appliance was relocated to the driveway, and crews removed smoke from the residence using a positive pressure ventilation (PPV) fan. Crews were initially searching for two pets believed to be in the residence. The dog was later discovered to be safely off-site with a relative, and the cat was located unharmed.

NStar Electric responded to the scene, and indicated there was no problem with the power line coming to the meter from the street. Fire damage was limited to the mud room, however there was smoke damage throughout the house. There were no injuries.

Chief Michael Cassidy noted that properly working smoke detectors alerted the resident to a hazardous condition when he first returned home. “Working smoke detectors save lives,” said Cassidy. “As soon as the resident heard the alarm going off, he knew there was a problem, and he called for help.”