Neighbor Averts Disaster In Somerville Fire

SOMERVILLE, MA — An early morning fire in Somerville could have been much worse, were it not for a quick-thinking neighbor, Fire Chief Charles Breen said. A Whitfield Road resident spotted the fire on Teele Avenue around 12:08 a.m. Thursday and alerted the fire department.

"If it was not for that neighbor, this fire could very well have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities," Breen said. "The occupants of the home were unaware of the fire, which was burning in the attic above the third-floor bedroom ceilings."

The fire had been burning unnoticed for some time and resulted in heavy damage to the roof and attic, Breen said. Investigators believe it was electrical, sparking above the bathroom on the third floor.

Firefighters needed to pull down ceilings and cut holes in the roof to extinguish the flames, Breen said. The building also suffered extensive smoke and water damage.

The fire displaced nine people. A cat and rabbit were safely pulled from the home as well.

No injuries were reported.