Outpouring of support for displaced family after fire rips through East Bridgewater home
EAST BRIDGEWATER — Four people were able to escape a two alarm fire that tore through an East Bridgewater home on Sunday afternoon — but the home is a total loss and all four residents have been displaced, officials said.
East Bridgewater Fire dispatchers received multiple 911 calls regarding a structure fire at 53 Old Bedford Road at about 12:12 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4.
Upon arrival, responders discovered that the fire had spread to much of the home, a two-story, L-shaped dwelling, East Bridgewater Fire Chief Timothy Harhen said in a written statement.
Two of the home's occupants escaped the building with their dog through a first-floor window. The other two occupants were also able to escape, but four pet cats are still unaccounted for, according to Harhen.
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Mandy Adao, who lives in the house, told Enterprise media partner WCVB-TV that she and her son were home, which WCVB described as a two-family townhouse, when she “heard a pop from her second-floor bedroom and immediately saw flames moving up the side of the building.”
“I yelled for my son. He came out. We ran downstairs. We couldn't go out the door because it's all in flames," Adao told WCVB. "So, I'm like, 'Go through the living room and out the window.' Pushed him out the window, told the dog to follow him, ran back, got my keys and my wallet, and jumped out the window."
WCVB also reported that several cars caught fire and that three cats did perish in the fire.
Harhen said the building is a total loss and all four residents have been displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.
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How to help the Adao family
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family recover. More than $18,000 has been raised as of Monday morning.
"My amazing friend Mandy, her husband Dave, two kids and grandkids lost everything in a house fire today 2/4/24. The entire house burnt and they lost everything," the organizer of the GoFundMe wrote.
"They lost their two cats, multiple vehicles and irreplaceable memories. They are left with what clothes are on their back. They are without adequate clothing’s, shoes, food and vehicle's. Anything will help these amazing people get back on their feet."
Mutual aid from multiple communities
Mutual aid was provided by the Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, Hanson, West Bridgewater, and Whitman Fire Departments. Station coverage was provided by the Halifax Fire Department.
The fire remains under investigation by the East Bridgewater Fire Department and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: East Bridgewater fire destroys home, residents displaced
