SPENCER – Crews faced exploding fireworks and icy conditions as a fire destroyed two homes SpencerMassachusetts on Sunday.
The fire on East Avenue was reported around 4 p.m. Two houses were destroyed and a third was damaged.
Two families ‘lost everything’ in the Spencer fire
“Unfortunately, two of our out-of-town families lost everything tonight and a third suffered damage to their home,” Spencer Fire & Emergency Services wrote on Facebook. “Despite the very frigid conditions, firefighters from several communities did their best to save the two exposures.”
No one was home when the fire broke out. No injuries were reported in the fire, but Spencer Fire Chief Robert Parsons said two firefighters fell through the ice while trying to get water from the nearby Thompson Pond because there are no fire hydrants in the area. They were not injured.
Photos and videos from the scene showed intense flames fueled by a propane tank in the basement, as well as fireworks exploding in the sky. A neighbor told WBZ-TV he heard explosions and his house shaking.
Spencer brand is under investigation
Temperatures were well below freezing on Sunday and the state Department of Fire Services responded to the scene to assist firefighters in the bitter cold. Oakham, Leicester, Sturbridge, Brookfield and Rutland were among the communities helping with the firefighting efforts.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the fire. The state fire marshal’s office is assisting local police and fire departments with the investigation.