By Tuesday afternoon family friends had already sealed the damaged roof with a tarp.
The fire started n the chimney and expanded into roof.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Five people are displaced after a fire significantly damaged a portion of their River Road home early Tuesday morning.
Firefighters responded to the home owned by Britni Maxwell at 540 River Rd. for a report of a chimney fire at about 12:30 a.m.
The 911 call was placed by Maxwell's cousin after the two women and three children escaped the home. There were no injuries.
The cell phone call had to be initially redirected and by the time they arrived, the blaze had expanded into a structure fire in the roof.
However, firefighters were able to get the flames under control within 15 minutes, according to Fire Chief Carlyle "Chip" Chesbro. Firefighters remained on scene until about 4 a.m.
"The fire was burning alongside the chimney at the roof line," Chesbro said Tuesday afternoon. "Once the trucks got there, we were able to knock it down quickly."
The Fire Department attacked the flames from the inside while mutual aid from Stamford, Vt., assisted from the outside and supplied water. The North Adams Fire Department was on standby.
"The chimney caused the fire. It was in disrepair. But luckily it was external," Chesbro said and added that it is important for residents to keep a close eye on the condition of their chimneys.
The roof to that section of the house was severely damaged and by Tuesday afternoon family friends had already put a tarp over it to protect it. A larger section of the home was undamaged.
The house is insured but it is unclear when the family will be able to move back in. They are currently staying with family.
Chesbro said that once the damaged section is boarded up and utilities are secured, they "should be able to live in it."
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"The cell phone call had to be initially redirected and by the time they arrived, the blaze had expanded into a structure fire in the roof." - I would like to hear more reporting about this. Was there a delay in emergency responses? How long? What is the process of redirecting emergency calls? What are the recommendations to avoid such a delay, if there was one? (Sorry to hear about the fire but glad no-one was hurt and damage was, relatively speaking, minimal).
It has happened to me before!! I called 911 and the person that picked up was from another area and started asking me lot's of question's before telling me to hold on then transfering me to the proper agency!!They claim 911 is set up so you never get a busy signal!!I think they should research thier system a little deeper in there can be many wasted minutes.
Editor: A cell phone is not connected to an address the way a landline is. Any one calling in an emergency from a cell phone should make sure they state where they are so there's no confusion. Time is critical. I Agree (2) - I Disagree (0)
The Clarksburg and Stamford volunteer fire fighters have always done an exceptional job in my opinion. The redirection of the 911 call is something to be concerned about though.Hopefully town people will organize fundraisers to help this family. Lucky that it happened during the day and no one was injured.
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