Fire badly damages house in Grafton

GRAFTON 
A fire that started in the garage quickly spread and badly damaged a Blanchard Road home last night.

Fire Chief Michael E. Gauthier said no one was hurt, and said residents of 48 Blanchard Road appeared to have quickly exited the burning single-family house.

The chief said the two-alarm fire started in the attached garage of the home just after 10 p.m., and quickly spread to the house.

Neighbors watching from across the street said they heard loud bangs, then saw flames shooting up from the garage.

Firefighters from Sutton helped fight the fire, which sent a plume of smoke into the air that was visible from quite a distance.

Chief Gauthier said once the fire got into the attic, it spread quickly from one end of the house to the other. Firefighters cut vent holes in the roof and the side of the house, releasing billowing smoke and intense flames.

Two cars appeared destroyed in what was left of the garage bays; a third car in the driveway also appeared to have heavy front-end damage.

The garage was destroyed; glowing orange flames were visible through exposed framing on the second floor of the Colonial-style home.

Chief Gauthier said the state fire marshal's office would assist with the investigation into the cause of the fire.

The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts said it provided assistance to one family, consisting of five adults. The Red Cross assisted the family with resources to purchase food and clothing. The family was also given comfort kits, which include toiletries and other essential items along with referrals to replace medications and glasses. The family was able to find shelter with neighbors, the Red Cross said.