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Southbridge fire displaces 12 families, neighbor reportedly saw suspicious person before the blaze
A neighbor said a person was caught on a surveillance camera throwing something at the building before the fire began.
Twelve families were displaced by what officials said was a fast-moving fire that engulfed two multi-family houses in Southbridge early Wednesday morning.
The fire was first reported at 3:25 a.m. at 7-9 Union St. before it quickly spread to the next door building, 11-13 Union St., the Southbridge Fire Department said. The fire was brought under control by about 6:15 a.m.
Officials said one firefighter sustained a hand injury and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Fire Chief Paul Normandin said the damage from the blaze is a “devastating loss” for the affected families and wider community.
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“We are working with town offices and the Red Cross of Massachusetts to support the displaced residents in their time of need,” he said. “At the same time, I want to emphasize the vital importance of working smoke alarms here. This was a fast-moving fire in the dead of night. Without working smoke alarms alerting people to the danger, we would be having a very different conversation.”
A neighbor told Boston 25 News that she saw a man on her home surveillance camera going back and forth behind one of the buildings and then an item being thrown before the fire erupted.
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Local and state officials are investigating the cause and origin of the fire, the Southbridge Fire Department said.
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