Monson couple in their 70s killed in three-alarm house fire

"Just after 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 19, the Monson fire and police departments were dispatched to a reported fire at 278 Silver St. Using live camera technology, dispatchers were able to monitor conditions in real time and relay updates to responding crews. Based on those reports, Fire Chief Brian Harris requested a second alarm, bringing in additional engines, tankers, and a ladder truck before arriving on scene about 10 minutes after the initial call."

"When Harris arrived, he spoke with family members gathered in the front yard and saw two Monson police officers attempting to reach the occupants inside. The officers tried to enter through the front door but were driven back by heavy smoke and extreme heat. A third officer arrived shortly afterward and also attempted to assist."

"The Wilbraham Fire Department was the first fire crew to reach the scene. Firefighters launched what officials described as an 'aggressive interior attack' in an effort to search for victims. However, rapidly deteriorating conditions forced crews to withdraw and transition to an exterior, defensive operation."

"The home sustained catastrophic damage, including multiple roof collapses, as firefighters worked for hours to bring the blaze under control. The fire eventually escalated to a third alarm, drawing six engines, six tankers, four ambulances, five command vehicles, and more than 70 personnel."

On February 19th, a rapidly spreading three-alarm fire destroyed a home at 278 Silver Street in Monson, killing a husband and wife in their 70s. Dispatchers used live camera technology to monitor conditions and alert responding crews in real time. Two Monson police officers attempted rescue through the front door but were driven back by heavy smoke and extreme heat. Wilbraham firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack but deteriorating conditions forced crews to transition to defensive operations. The home sustained catastrophic damage including multiple roof collapses. The fire escalated to a third alarm, requiring six engines, six tankers, four ambulances, five command vehicles, and more than 70 personnel. Two police officers were hospitalized during rescue attempts. The fire's cause remains under investigation.

Read at Boston.com