Westfield apartment fire claims life
'On behalf of the Westfield Fire Department, I want to express our condolences to the victim's family and loved ones,' said Westfield Fire Chief Patrick Egloff in a statement provided by the state Department of Fire Services Friday.
Just after 10:30 p.m., the Westfield Fire Department and Westfield Police Department responded to a central station alarm and 911 calls reporting a fire at 36 Franklin St. First responders saw fire showing from a first-floor apartment, with witnesses saying there was a person trapped inside, according to the statement.
Firefighters attacked the fire at the front of the building while additional personnel entered the rear of the building in an attempt to locate the occupant. After battling heavy smoke and flames, firefighters later located the resident, a woman with limited mobility. She was deceased.
The woman's name is not being released at this time, fire officials said. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct a formal identification procedure and determine the cause and manner of her death.
The fire went to two alarms, drawing all unassigned Westfield firefighters and mutual aid to the scene. It extended to the second floor of the four-story brick structure, while upper floors sustained smoke damage. All residents of the nine-unit building have been displaced, fire officials said.
The origin and cause of the fire are being investigated by the Westfield Fire Department, Westfield Police Department, State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal's office, and State Police detectives assigned to the Hampden District Attorney's office.
Firefighters with the 104th Fighter Wing from Barnes Air National Guard Base provided mutual aid at the scene while the fire departments of Holyoke and West Springfield provided station coverage.
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