Two-Alarm Fire Rips Through Woburn Home This Morning

A two-alarm fire ripped through a Hinston Street, Woburn home this morning, killing three family pets and causing extensive damage.

Police and fire are investigating what caused the blaze, which Fire Chief Paul Tortolano says most likely started in the basement.

"It's too early to tell," said the chief. "There is an awful lot of damage."

Fire received a call from neighbors for a report of smoke coming from the chimney shortly before 10 a.m.

"The fire was already in the walls and on all three floors by the time crews got here," said Tortolano.

The first and second floors of the home were "compromised" and had holes in the floor, according to Tortolano. However, no injuries to firefighters were reported.

Rick Greene, the homeowner at 51 Hinston St., said he was at work when he received a call that his house was on fire.

"My children were in a school play this morning," he said Thursday. "My mother was there and someone told her the house was on fire."

Greene rushed to the scene and found that the home was damaged extensively by the blaze.

Greene and his family have lived in the house for six years. The family dogs—a black lab, a yellow lab and a Chihuahua—all perished in the fire. The Greene family's four children's Christmas presents were also destroyed.

"We can replace the gifts," said Greene. "We're thankful no one else was inside."

He said Thursday that he has no idea what may have caused the fire Thursday morning.  

In addition to the Woburn Fire Department, both the and Reading Fire Department responded to the fire and were on scene.

Police and fire are investigating the cause of the fire.

More details will be posted when they are available.