Child found dead, 3 people injured in Middleboro house fire
MIDDLEBORO - Middleboro neighbors are devastated after a fire ripped through a home on Pearl Street Saturday morning and claimed the life of a young girl.
"It's tragic. It's terrible, absolutely terrible," neighbor Brianna Smith said.
Firefighters attempted to rescue the girl, but were unable to get inside because the fire was too intense. When the fire was put out, the girl was found dead inside. Her name and age haven't been released.
"I started bawling my eyes out crying because it's a tough situation, because I have three children, and I just saw her playing in the street yesterday," neighbor Maria Trefouliaris said.
Heavy smoke and fire were pouring out of the first and second floor when firefighters first arrived. There were still people trapped inside.
One woman was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious burns and a man and another girl were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries.
Brianna Smith lives in the house next door. She said fire crews work feverishly to keep the fire from spreading to nearby homes.
"I ran outside and saw the house next door to me was engulfed in flames. It very happened fast. It went from one window being on fire until the whole house went up," Smith said.
Several firefighters from surrounding towns quickly responded.
On Saturday afternoon neighbors came by leaving flowers and offering prayers and hope for the family. Neighbors also say this is a stark reminder for families to check smoke detectors and review fire escape routes.
"I just told my husband on the phone, we need to do a fire safety plan. When I was younger my house caught on fire," Trefouliaris said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
