Worcester woman killed in early-morning fire; 2 others rescued

WORCESTER, Mass. — A woman was killed and two others were injured in an early-morning fire in Worcester, according to fire officials.

An off-duty lieutenant with the Worcester Fire Department lives behind the Green Farms Road home and was on his way to work around 7 a.m. when he spotted flames coming from the front bedroom.

Neighbors said they woke up to commotion.

“I heard voices and the next thing I knew, I heard sirens,” Demetra Ourdas said. “I knew something was going on, so I jumped out of bed and saw the smoke and flames coming through the roof. It was pretty scary.”

The off-duty lieutenant helped one resident out of the home, and firefighters were able to get two more out of the home.

All three were rushed to a hospital.

To adult men were treated for smoke inhalation, but an 85-year-old woman did not survive.

No firefighters were physically injured fighting the flames, but Deputy Chief John Sullivan said this might affect them emotionally and the firefighters who worked the scene will be meeting with peer support.

"We take it very hard when we're not able to get here in time to affect a rescue that saves a life," Deputy fire Chief John Sullivan said. "We'll be talking to our firefighters and making sure that they're doing alright throughout the next few days and weeks to come."

Investigators are now working to try and determine the cause of the fire.

Cox Media Group