ATHOL — No injuries were reported in Athol’s second fire in two days, but a Main Street house has been deemed a “total loss” following a Tuesday morning blaze.

The Athol Fire Department was dispatched to 1756 Main St. at 8:37 a.m. for a reported structure fire, which eventually led to a second alarm being struck. Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Parker said the fire remains under investigation, which was being assisted by state Fire District 8’s investigation team.

“The sole occupant was out of the building shortly after we got here and was not claiming any injuries,” Parker said.

Parker said they started with an external attack on the fire and prepared firefighters to enter the building. However, items inside the home prevented them from making a safe entry.

“We had crews making attempts on the ‘A’ side, but due to content of the home, they were unable to make entry because it was not safe,” Parker said, adding they did need to remove some bushes and trees on the west side of the building to get access.

An excavator was also coming to assist in removing part of the roof.

Mutual aid partners included the Athol Police and Highway departments, along with the Orange, Phillipston, Gardner, Westminter, Royalston, Barre, and Petersham fire departments and Woods Ambulance. National Grid, the building and electrical inspector and the Salvation Army were also on scene.

The Police Department closed Main Street from Petersham Road to Pleasant Street while crews fought the fire and anticipated it would be closed until approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, according to the department’s Facebook page.

Tuesday’s fire was the second in two days, following an early Monday morning fire on Froman Street, which resulted in a total loss of the house, but an effective response from firefighters allowed the family to retrieve some of their personal belongings. No injuries were reported to the occupants, but the family dog may have suffered some minor injuries.

“Excellent job by the firefighters on scene and the PD in their assists,” Parker said. “Very good job.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.

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