Newton, Mass. — A house fire in West Newton not only displaced the current family living there but also left another family without a place to go.
The family who has lived in the home for decades just sold the house and the deal was done, but now the new owners are without a home.
Boston 25 News Reporter Robert Goulston, who was at the scene, says the family got out safely and no one was hurt.
According to the family, the fire started when their couch accidentally caught on fire.
"it spread so fast. I couldn't believe how bad it got. It was all over the house and I was ducking low trying to get out of it," said Jason Donahe. "I "tried putting a blanket over it and that made it worse."
Donahe said his mother had just lit a cigarette and somehow the couch caught on fire.
The home owners in fact just sold the house and were planning on moving out this week.
"I saw a lot of flames, the whole side of the house was going up in flames," said Ed Braga, who drove by the fire.
"[The fire] ended up going up into the attic area, spread throughout the house, one of the tougher fires to fight," said Newton Assistant Fire Chief Gino Lucchetti. "[The family] actually made the 911 call and our arrival they informed us of what was going on."
The family told Boston 25 News they were supposed to move out of the house this week.
"Paid and everything, we were going to be out Wednesday," said Donahe.
The fire department believes the house is going to be a complete loss, but the community says it stands with the family during these tough times.
"It looks like the community has come together you know, if anybody needs anything I'm sure they know they can reach out to all of us," said Sandi Braga, a neighbor.
For the time being, the family is working with the Red Cross to find a temporary home. The assistant fire chief says investigators are still working on the exact cause of the fire.