Trooper Rescues Man From Fire At Veteran's Facility In Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO, MA — A man is suffering serious injuries after a fire broke out early Tuesday morning at a veteran's assisted living facility in Middleboro.

A Massachusetts State Trooper was the first on the scene, patrolling the area near 285 West Grove Street when he noticed the smoke around 1:15 a.m., state police said.

State Police Trooper John Hagerty said he saw about ten people exit the side of the building, but learned one person was still on the third floor of the house, Middleboro Police Chief Lance Benjamino said.

That's when "(Hagerty) threw a ground ladder that happened to be there and assisted the man out the window," Benjamino said.

Hagerty was able to get the 33-year-old man out of the building, but he suffered serious burns to his body and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he is still in the intensive care unit, Benjamino added.

Hagerty was taken to Morton Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation and later released, state police said.

With the assistance of the Lakeville Fire Department it took 45 minutes to gain control of the fire, as heavy smoke and water damage created difficult conditions, the department said.

No firefighters were hurt during the blaze.

The American Red Cross is assisting the 13 residents who were displaced due to the fire, as the home has been named a total loss.

"Our thoughts are with the victim this morning. We're proud of Trooper Hagerty and grateful to all who responded and assisted," Massachusetts State Police said on Twitter Tuesday morning.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No additional information was immediately available.