Three-alarm fire at Millis apartment complex displaced 28 people, 16 pets

MILLIS — Twenty-eight people were displaced and 16 pets were rescued after a three-alarm fire Wednesday morning at a Stoneybrook Drive apartment complex, authorities said.

While no people suffered any injuries, three pets — a dog, a turtle and a lizard — died in the fire at the Stoney Brook Village complex, according to Fire Chief Rick Barrett.

"Initial indications is that it is probably electrical," he said of the fire's probable cause. "It's not suspicious in any way. It's already been deemed accidental."

Firefighters responded to 30 Stoneybrook Drive at 9:24 a.m. after receiving several 911 calls about smoke coming from the building. When they arrived, there was smoke and fire coming from the third floor.

All residents were out of the building and firefighters began an "aggressive attack" on the fire. Barrett called a second and then a third alarm, bringing in mutual aid from Bellingham, Franklin, Foxborough, Holliston, Medfield, Medway, Norfolk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham.

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It took firefighters about an hour and a half to get the fire under control and they spent several hours afterward working on stopping it from spreading.

Dramatic dog rescue

One dog was revived after being rescued and was taken to Tufts Animal Hospital in Grafton, Barrett said.

"That was a big one," said Barrett. "The dog was in the apartment for 30 to 40 minutes. He was in the bathtub, and he was covered with ceiling debris. We were able to get him out and revive him."

The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist with the 28 displaced residents. Most lived at 30 Stoneybrook Drive, while some lived at 27 Stoneybrook Drive, another building in the complex.

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The Millis Police and School departments worked to set up transportation for residents, and Town Hall set up a temporary shelter. Barrett said some of the displaced residents may be able to return home Thursday.

Barrett said the fire caused about $350,000 in damage.

Barrett said the size of the building presented a challenge to firefighters and that they had trained specifically in the event of a fire there.

"This is a fire where I'm very proud of how my department handled it," the chief said. "This complex is always a concern for us. We do a lot of training on these buildings."

The exact cause of the fire is being investigated by the Millis Fire and Police departments and the state Fire Marshal's Office, Barrett said.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Three-alarm fire at Millis apartment displaces 28 people, 16 pets