Fire Destroys 3 Homes Before the Holidays in Norwood
by David Greene
Instead of preparing for the celebration of the upcoming holidays, residents of three homes on Hull Avenue are looking for a place to stay and are now picking up the pieces of their lives– after a devastating 4-alarm fire that destroyed three, three-family homes in Norwood.
Firefighters were called to 3210 Hull Avenue, at just after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20. The wood frame homes on either side of the fire building also caught fire and were destroyed.
Firefighters rescued one male resident who was pulled from a back window of one of the homes. EMS transported the one civilian who was listed in serious, but stable condition. Four firefighters also suffered minor injuries.
Deputy Chief John Hodges told reporters, “One of our firefighters made their way to the building and there was an occupant straddling the window, so he got up their and pulled the occupant to safety,” adding, “if our firefighter had not gotten to him, we believe he probably would have had to jump.”
The unidentified victim rescued by a member of Ladder 32, suffered severe smoke inhalation, but was expected to recover.
Fire officials say the blaze began on the top floor of the three-family home, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but after a preliminary investigation, its believed an unattended candle may have been the cause.
Officials say the roof and top floor of the fire home collapsed and pancaked onto the second floor. Firefighters spent the rest of the day searching for potential victims, but thankfully no other residents were home at the time of the fire.
The Red Cross was providing temporary shelter for seven families who are now homeless for the holidays.
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