House fire in Orange displaces family

Fire trucks line Mechanic Street in Orange, scene of a two alarm fire that displaced a family.

Fire trucks line Mechanic Street in Orange, scene of a two alarm fire that displaced a family. staff photo/paul Franz

Second floor window in home at 86 Mechanic Street in Orange.

Second floor window in home at 86 Mechanic Street in Orange. Franz—Paul Franz

Fire fighters exit a two story gambrel style home that was the scene of a two alarm fire Wednesday morning on Mechanic Street in Orange.

Fire fighters exit a two story gambrel style home that was the scene of a two alarm fire Wednesday morning on Mechanic Street in Orange. Franz—Paul Franz

Fire fighters outside a two story gambrel style home that was the scene of a two alarm fire Wednesday morning on Mechanic Street in Orange.

Fire fighters outside a two story gambrel style home that was the scene of a two alarm fire Wednesday morning on Mechanic Street in Orange. staff photo/paul Franz

By DOMENIC POLI and PAUL FRANZ

Staff Writer

Published: 01-10-2024 5:11 PM

ORANGE – Four people were displaced Wednesday morning when a second-alarm fire damaged a house at 86 Mechanic St.

The Salvation Army Athol Corps is reportedly assisting Donna and Kevin Sweeney and their sons, Sean and Nicholas, following the blaze that was called in at 9:52 a.m. after starting in a second-floor bedroom. Orange Fire Chief James Young said Wednesday afternoon that there was not a determined cause of the fire yet, though he said it was accidental in nature. Young said the fire is being investigated by his department as well as the state Department of Fire Services.

“[Firefighters] did a great job, a very quick knockdown of the fire that originated in a room on the second floor,” Young told the Greenfield Recorder at the scene.

Nicholas Sweeney was home alone, asleep on the couch when he awoke to smoke and flames. He called 911 and exited the home with his black Labrador retriever. His 11-year-old daughter was in school at the time. The family cat was not accounted for at the time of the fire.

Sean Sweeney, like his parents, was at work when the fire started. He arrived on scene after the fire was brought under control.

Fire departments from Orange, Athol, New Salem and Phillipson responded to the scene. Young said one of his firefighters suffered a minor hand laceration, was treated at a hospital and released.