MIDDLEBOROUGH — On Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at approximately 1:09 p.m., Middleborough fire crews responded to a single-story, wood-frame home at 38 Vernon Street.
According to Middleborough’s Interim Fire Chief Dana Fontaine, when crews arrived on scene, the shift commander in Car 3 observed flames coming from the front windows of the home. The first arriving apparatus stretched a hose line, entered the house, and quickly knocked down the fire.
No residents were home at the time, but six pets — two birds, two cats and two snakes — were inside.
Firefighters rescued one bird and one snake. Both cats, along with the other bird and snake, died in the fire.
“The home was outside of our water district, requiring multiple tankers from mutual aid companies,” Interim Chief Fontaine said. “We’re grateful for the help of our firefighting partners, their assistance was vital at the scene. Together, our crews did a great job knocking this fire down fast.”
The Raynham and Plympton fire departments sent tankers to the scene to assist, while the Bridgewater Fire Department responded with an engine. The Lakeville Fire Department provided station coverage.
Crews cleared the scene at approximately 3:45 p.m.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Middleborough Fire Department.
