News

Nov 05, 2024

Westborough firefighters rescue dog, four cats from burning house

WESTBOROUGH — Firefighters rescued a dog and four cats early Sunday after a house fire on Fisher Street. The home at 3 Fisher St. is uninhabitable as a result of the 12:51 a.m. fire, but no one was

WESTBOROUGH — Firefighters rescued a dog and four cats early Sunday after a house fire on Fisher Street.

The home at 3 Fisher St. is uninhabitable as a result of the 12:51 a.m. fire, but no one was injured, Fire Chief Patrick Purcell said Monday.

Firefighters responded to the home after receiving several calls reporting a fire. Upon arrival, they were greeted with flames coming from the front of the home.

"The occupants were self-evacuated, but there was a dog and four cats in the home," Purcell said. "The responding crews were able to get the dog and the cats out. Paramedics had to give oxygen to one of the cats."

Westborough was assisted at the one-alarm fire by the Hopkinton, Northborough and Southborough fire departments.

The fire appears to have originated from a battery-operated appliance, Purcell said.

"The crews arrived, and they were very squared away and did a great job," the chief said. "I'm really proud of their performance."

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Purcell estimated the home sustained $500,000 in damage. According to the town assessor's database, the 78-year-old home is owned by Rosalind Stearns and was last assessed at $422,200.

Purcell said the two residents were being assisted by the American Red Cross.

A GoFundMe has been created to help support veterinarian costs for the animals. According to the GoFundMe, all five pets had to be taken to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton to be treated. The dog, Chevy, was given a clean bill of health, but all four cats — Astrid, Cheddar, Echo and Twix — had to remain overnight for observation and a deep clean of their fur.

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Astrid, Cheddar and Twix were released Monday, but according to the fundraiser, Echo had to remain at Tufts and has to be in an oxygen chamber due to smoke inhalation.

The fundraiser is seeking $5,000. As of 4 p.m. Monday, it had raised $2,065.

To donate, go to https://gofund.me/e8051a99.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For up-to-date public safety news, follow Norman Miller on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.