ATHOL — One woman was killed and another was transported to the hospital on Thursday morning following a three-alarm house fire at 92 Fern St., the cause of which remains under investigation.

The name of the woman who died in the blaze was not being released until next of kin could be notified, but she was described by Athol Town Manager Shaun Suhoski as being “very well-beloved in the community,” and active in town affairs and her church. Athol Fire Chief Joseph Guarnera said two cats also died in the fire, which he said likely started in the 2½-story house’s kitchen. At least 10 fire departments were on scene Thursday morning to battle the blaze.

Guarnera said a report was received at 9:44 a.m. of a house fire at 92 Fern St. En route, firefighters learned one of the house’s occupants did not make it out. Entrance to the building was not possible, he said, due to the heat. He said the woman inside was later found dead and he expressed his department’s condolences to her loved ones.

“It took us … a little over an hour to get that fire under control,” Guarnera told the press at around 3:20 p.m. “It was a tough one.”

The chief said the second floor collapsed onto the first floor and “the chimney came down.” He mentioned two police officers who arrived before firefighters attempted to get into the house themselves, but failed due to the high temperatures and strong flames.

By noon, the majority of the structure was left severely damaged and charred from the blaze.

Firefighters eventually cordoned off the roadway at Fern Street’s intersections with Freedom and Hamlet streets. The firefighting efforts sent water cascading down Fern Street and onto the adjacent streets.

Ginger May, Jessica McMenamin and Charlotte Fortes live nearby and all said they heard two loud explosions coming from 92 Fern St. May said there was initially thick black smoke coming from the house before firefighters arrived.

“You couldn’t breathe,” she said. “We had to move back.”

McMenamin said ash and debris from the house landed near her home.

In a statement early Thursday night, Guarnera expressed condolences to the fire victim’s family on behalf of the Athol Fire Department.

“This is a very sad day for them and our community,” he said.

About 40 firefighters battled the blaze for about an hour, according to the state Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire is being investigated by the Athol Fire Department, Athol Police, State Police assigned to the offices of the state fire marshal and Worcester County district attorney, and District 8 fire investigators who are supported by the Department of Fire Service’s Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit. The fire departments of Orange, Phillipston, Petersham, Barre, Oakham, Gardner, Westminster, Winchendon and Fitchburg provided mutual aid at the scene. The fire departments of Templeton and Fitchburg provided station coverage.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@ recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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