Two-Alarm Fire Under Control in 20 Minutes

responded Thursday morning to what would become the town's second in less than a week.

At about 10 a.m. Thursday, Wayland fire responded to a call of a house fire on Chestnut Road near Dudley Pond.

Fire Chief Bob Loomer said firefighters arrived to find the home "well-involved" in fire. The sole occupant at the time, renter Edward Schmidt, had safely escaped. He was later transported to the hospital for medical evaluation. His daughter, Emily Schmidt, said she was not home at the time of the fire, but arrived home from class at Mass Bay Community College while firefighters were still on site.

A second alarm was issued and firefighters from Framingham assisted at the scene while Weston and Natick fire departments covered Wayland's two fire stations.

In all, Loomer said, about 15 firefighters worked to get the fire under control within 20 minutes. A fire hose ran nearly the length of Richard Road transporting water from the nearest hydrant to the home at the intersection of Richard and Chestnut.

Loomer said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it appears the fire began in the basement. Loomer said Schmidt told firefighters he was working there when the fire began.

Last Saturday, . That two-alarm fire resulted in a total loss of the home and remains under investigation.