Westboro home declared uninhabitable after early morning fire; five pets rescued

Westboro — Firefighters rescued a dog and four cats after a house fire on Fisher Street early Sunday morning.

The house at 3 Fisher Street is uninhabitable after the fire, which happened at 12.51am, but no one was injured. Fire Chief Patrick Purcell said on Monday.

Firefighters arrived at the home after receiving multiple calls reporting a fire. Upon arrival, they were greeted by flames coming from the front of the house.

“The residents evacuated on their own, but there was a dog and four cats in the house,” Purcell said. “Crews who arrived to help were able to get the dog and cats out. Paramedics had to give oxygen to one of the cats.”

A firefighter rescues a cat from a burning house on Fisher Street in Westboro on November 3, 2024. Four cats and a dog were rescued. No one was hurt.

Westboro assisted in extinguishing the one-alarm fire. Hopkinton, Northborough And Southborough fire departments.

What caused the fire?

The fire appears to have started from a battery-powered appliance, Purcell said.

“The crews arrived and they were very prepared and did a great job,” the chief said. “I’m really proud of their performance.”

Firefighters from several communities worked to extinguish a house fire on Fisher Street in Westboro on November 3, 2024.

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Purcell estimated damage to the home was $500,000. According to city assessor databaseThe 78-year-old home is owned by Rosalind Stearns and was last assessed at $422,200.

Purcell said the two residents were assisted by the American Red Cross.

How can you help

A GoFundMe has been created to help cover the cost of veterinary care for the animals. According to GoFundMe, all five pets had to be taken to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in North Grafton to be treated. The Chevy dog was found to be healthy, but all four cats — Astrid, Cheddar, Echo and Twix — had to stay overnight to observe and thoroughly clean the fur.

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Astrid, Cheddar and Twix were released Monday, but Echo had to remain at Tufts and in an oxygen chamber due to smoke inhalation, according to the fundraiser.

The fundraiser is seeking $5,000. As of 4 p.m. Monday, $2,065 had been raised.

To make a donation, go to https://gofund.me/e8051a99.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or [email protected]. For the latest public safety news, follow Norman Miller at X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared in the MetroWest Daily News: Westboro firefighters rescue a dog and four cats from a burning home.