STONEHAM, Mass. — When Stoneham firefighters arrived at the two-alarm fire on Saturday around 12:30 p.m., a woman living at the single-family home was on her roof overhang escaping the flames.
Stoneham police officers instructed her to jump from the overhang, and she was caught by Stoneham police officers Stephen Aprile and John Burton. She was the only person at the home at 16 Flint Ave. at the time of the fire.
"Today marks the last day of Fire Prevention Week and the theme for this year covered how important it is for people to have an escape plan to get out of their home," says Stoneham fire chief Matthew Grafton.
"The resident who was at home at the time of [Saturday's] fire is an excellent example of someone who knew to find an available escape route and got herself safely out of the house as quickly as possible."
The fire was in the kitchen on the first floor and smoke was billowing from all windows. Crews from the Woburn, Melrose, Wakefield, Winchester and Reading fire departments helped on scene while Saugus, Medford and Malden firefighters helped with station coverage.
Firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to the rest of the house, but the home sustained heavy damage from smoke and water, estimated between $150,000 to $200,000.
The family of six who lived at the home is being helped by family and friends in the area. One dog was rescued and taken to a vet for evaluation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Cox Media Group
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