Woman dies after being pulled from MA house fire; man expected to survive

One woman has died after she and another resident were pulled from a burning home in Wakefield, Massachusetts, early Sunday morning.

The Wakefield Fire Department received multiple 911 calls around 8:45 a.m. reporting an explosion at 318 Water Street and arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the third floor of the six-family dwelling, according to a media release from the state’s Department of Fire Services.

“We heard like a pop, pop and then a loud bang,” said Bill Fulkerson. “I brought the dog inside and within like a minute I heard the sirens and looked out the window and there’s a bunch of flames coming out the top of the house.”

Wakefield firefighters and police officers rescued two adult residents from the third floor of the home. The man was taken to MelroseWakefield Hospital with serious injuries and is expected to survive, fire officials said.

The female resident was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where she later died from her injuries, fire officials said. Her name has not been released at this time.

“Our hearts go out to the family that lost a loved one today,” Fire Chief Michael Sullivan said in a statement. “This is a very sad day for them and the community.”

Several residents in the area were hoping for a better outcome, including Fulkerson who said he saw first responders doing chest compressions on someone in the front lawn.

A bunch of neighbors were hoping the woman would pull through.

“A bunch of us started praying in church for them, my God and the fire department, too, everybody involved trying to put it out,” Jim Fosnock said.

“They did everything it seemed like they could,” Fulkerson said.

Other residents escaped the home safely on their own, according to the fire department, which added that witnesses and first responders heard smoke alarms activating.

A preliminary investigation by multiple agencies suggests the blaze was not intentionally set. Investigators did find smoking materials and home oxygen equipment in the area where the fire started on the third floor.

Fire officials are reminding everyone that medical oxygen makes it easier for any fire to grow and spread, and smoking on or near home oxygen is especially dangerous.

The blaze was brought under control in about 30 minutes with the help of several neighboring departments including Stoneham, Melrose, Reading and North Reading.

Displaced residents are being assisted by The Red Cross and the Wakefield Office of Emergency Management.