
Man killed, 2 firefighters injured in Chelmsford fire.
A fire at 175 Mason Ave. in Chelmsford during the early morning hours Wednesday killed an elderly man and injured two firefighters. PHOTO COURTESY OF RUTH DEMASSE
CHELMSFORD — A fire at the Chelmsford Commons mobile home park during the early morning hours Wednesday led to the death of a man in his 80s and sent two firefighters to the hospital, according to Fire Chief Gary Ryan.
Ryan said the cause of the blaze at 175 Mason Ave. remains under investigation by the Chelmsford Fire Department and the Department of Fire Services.
The victim, who was not identified by Ryan, was in his 80s. The fire chief said, based on information provided by a neighbor, the man had mobility issues.
“On behalf of the Chelmsford Fire Department, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim,” Ryan said.
The two injured firefighters — one from Chelmsford and the other from Billerica — have since been released from the hospital, Ryan said Wednesday afternoon.
The Chelmsford Fire Department was called to the mobile home park off Littleton Road around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. Upon arrival, Ryan said firefighters were met with heavy flames coming from the residence.
According to Ryan, as firefighters got busy battling the blaze, responders were informed that a resident was still inside the dwelling.
“The firefighters quickly gained entry into the home and removed the male resident from the rapidly deteriorating condition,” Ryan said. “Sadly, the victim had passed away.”
Ruth DeMasse, who witnessed the fire from her father’s home directly across the street, took video of the blaze as firefighters scrambled to contain it.
DeMasse’s video shows the flames leaping off the sides of the mobile home. The video also shows a thick wall of smoke billowing off the structure’s roof.
“I remember thinking, ‘I hope there’s no one in there,’” DeMasse said.
Her concerns became a reality around 1 a.m. when firefighters emerged from the structure with what appeared to be a body.
DeMasse’s father, George DeMasse, said he only knew his deceased neighbor as “Jerry.” George DeMasse said the man had two adult children who would visit regularly.
A small memorial was left on the snowbank in front of the destroyed mobile home on Wednesday. The memorial included a can of beer and a bouquet of flowers.
Though the fire is still under investigation, Ryan said the origin of the blaze appears to have been in the living room area.
“I’m thankful for the valiant efforts of all the firefighters involved in today’s tragic incident,” Ryan said. “The rapid fire conditions and freezing temperatures were taxing on all involved.”
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