SOUTHBRIDGE — At approximately 1:05 a.m. this morning, the Southbridge Fire Department was dispatched to 21 Williams Street following a report of a structure fire.
According to Southbridge Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Hulyk, a single engine initially arrived at the scene because the department was handling multiple incidents at the time.
Firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions on the first floor in the rear of the home. A second alarm and then a third alarm were struck to bring additional resources to the scene.
Mutual aid partners from eight surrounding communities then responded to the scene to assist the Southbridge Fire Department during the fire.
Initial reports indicated the home may have been occupied. Firefighters searched the building and did not find anyone inside.
“Once contact was established with the property owner, it was confirmed that the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire,” Deputy Chief Hulyk said in a statement.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Southbridge Fire Department, the Southbridge Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Fire Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“The home was heavily damaged by fire and deemed uninhabitable by the building official,” Deputy Chief Hulyk said. “Damage is estimated at $350,000.00”
Deputy Chief Hulyk said the fire is not considered suspicious.
