Adams firefighters were on the scene of a structure fire early Sunday morning on Water Street.
ADAMS, Mass. — Firefighters swiftly contained a house fire early Sunday morning, saving more than a dozen pets.
The Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire at 2:30 a.m. at 27 Water St.
Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the back of the two-story house, and some witnesses said flames were visible.
"The first arriving units were on the scene within three minutes, and the external fire was knocked down within five to seven minutes," Fire Chief Paul Goyette said. "Then the fire got into the voids of the structure so we had to do a lot of opening up."
Goyette said they were able to get everyone out of the house safely and rescue most of the pets in the house.
"Everybody got out OK," he said. "We also rescued 10 iguanas and one cat; two iguanas didn't make it."
Home owner Laura Borowski posted later that two bearded dragons had died. "We saved 2 iguanas and 10 bearded dragons and my cat," she wrote.
Goyette said the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the state fire marshal’s office.
Adams received mutual aid from the North Adams and the Cheshire fire departments. The Clarksburg Fire Department covered the Adams station; North Adams Ambulance sent its rehab trailer and Adams Ambulance had two ambulances on scene..
Goyette said even though the damage is extensive, he thinks the house will be saved.
"The damage is quite extensive. At this time, the town building inspector looked at it, and [the insurance company] and him will determine if the structure has to come down or not," Goyette said. "I do not at this time believe it will, but there a lot of cogs that work in that decision."
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Adams firefighters were on the scene of a structure fire early Sunday morning on Water Street.