Fire Displaces Two Medford Families Tuesday

UPDATE, 1:30 p.m.: Medford Fire Deputy Chief Scott Graham said no one was injured in the Chipman Street fire, which started in the basement of the dwelling and was contained there by responding companies.

Graham said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The home suffered smoke damage to the first and second floors and water damage in the basement, according to Graham. Crews on scene stretched a line into the home and through an "aggressive interior attack" were able to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Graham said the fire was originally reported at 9:55 p.m. Tuesday.

ORIGINAL STORY: An overnight fire at 38 Chipman Road in Medford displaced two families, who were aided by the American Red Cross.

Emergency communications reports indicated the fire happened at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, with fire showing from the rear of the building.

@NEFireBuff on Twitter reported smoke was showing from a dwelling and mutual aid was requested to work the scene as well as cover for Medford engines.

In a statement released early Wednesday morning, the American Red Cross said they assisted two familes, which included a total of nine adults and three children, impacted by the fire.

They provided a hotel stay for one family of seven and while the other stayed with friends.

The Red Cross said the provided both families with funds for food while one of the families was given funds for clothes.

"Each person was given a comfort kit, which includes toiletries," wrote Ashley Studley, communications manager for the American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts. "Volunteers provided eight smoke packs, which remove the smell of smoke from clothing and linens, and gave out one Mickey Mouse doll."

Patch will have more information on this story as it becomes available.