DALTON, Mass. — Several fire companies were called to 201 South St. on Tuesday afternoon for a report of a structure fire. 

 

The occupants were able to flee the single-family home and firefighters quickly doused what turned out to be an electrical fire. 

 

The call came in at about 1:20 p.m. for a structure fire. Fire Chief James Peltier said there was smoke coming from the front entrance and a fire on the three-season porch. 

 

Cheshire sent its rapid intervention team, Hinsdale firefighters responded for standby and Lanesborough covered the fire station. County Ambulance also responded and police shut down the road for a time. It was reopened about 3 p.m.

 

"We had a few other towns mutual aid to help us out because it's the daytime and we don't always have enough help," Peltier said. 

 

He said the homeowners had thrown water on the fire and the smoke worsened. The firefighters quickly went into action to get the residents out of the house and away from the smoke. 

 

"We were able to extinguish the fire relatively quickly," the chief said. "They had thrown some water on it. With the amount of smoke in the house, we had to get them out quickly because we don't want to hang around."

 

 Firefighters stopped the progression of the fire, ripped apart some of the burnt material to confirm the absence of fire, and monitored the house for carbon monoxide.