Willow Road home in Milford is likely a total loss after two-alarm fire

Norman Miller, The Milford Daily News
·2 min read

MILFORD — A Willow Road home is likely a total loss after a construction accident on Monday afternoon resulted in the roof going up in flames, authorities said.

The two-story, single-family home at 18 Willow Road was heavily damaged by the 3:52 p.m. fire, Fire Chief Mark Nelson said.

"The house sustained severe damage — water, smoke and fire — and is not habitable," said Nelson. "I believe it is (a total loss)."

Firefighters responded to the home after "numerous" 911 calls reporting the fire. When they arrived, they found nearly the whole roof on fire, and it was extending downward into the attic area.

A view of the fire at 18 Willow Road in Milford on Monday as captured by a Milford Police Department drone.
A view of the fire at 18 Willow Road in Milford on Monday as captured by a Milford Police Department drone.

Nelson said firefighters tried to extinguish the fire from the outside and inside at the same time to try to stop the spread.

Humid conditions lead to call for second alarm

The fire went to a second alarm, bringing in firefighters from Bellingham, Franklin, Hopedale, Hopkinton and Medway. The state Department of Fire Services and the Providence Canteen, a nonprofit organization, provided rehab trucks, while Community EMS was also at the scene.

The Upton Fire Department provided station coverage.

Humid conditions made fighting the fire more difficult, resulting in the second alarm, Nelson said.

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"The heat — the humidity — makes it harder to function all of the gear," he said. "To keep everyone hydrated, we have to try to rotate crews quicker."

There was one resident at home at the time of the fire but construction workers were able to help her get out prior to the Fire Department arriving.

No one was injured.

According to the Milford Assessor's Office, the home is owned by Antoinette and Michael Clement. The Colonial-style home was built in 1964 and was last assessed at $424,700.

Nelson said construction workers were doing a project at the home and sparked the fire.

"It was accidental," he 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: Milford house sustains 'severe damage' in two-alarm fire