Suspected Arson in Southbridge, 30 Residents Escape as Fire Engulfs Twin Homes on Union Street

Earlier today in Southbridge, a fire tore through two triple-decker homes on Union Street, displacing 30 residents who narrowly escaped the inferno. According to

Boston 25  News

, the fire erupted around 3 a.m. and rapidly spread, with footage showing several cars also engulfed by flames. The Southbridge Fire Department confirmed that all occupants exited the buildings safely and reported no injuries as a result of the blaze. While the origin of the fire is currently being investigated, officials pointed to the rear of the building as the potential starting point.

Adding to the unfolding narrative, neighbors claim to have video evidence of a person lurking behind the homes moments before the fire erupted. “I just heard my dogs going crazy so we went and we looked at the cameras and he was facing the camera so we caught him right on camera,” a witness disclosed in an interview with

NBC Boston

. The same neighbor described seeing the suspect throw something at the building, shortly after which the fire ignited. The footage has since been turned over to the authorities for investigation.

Despite the lack of official classification of the fire as suspicious by Southbridge Fire Chief Paul Normandin, the implication of arson has rattled the local community. “It’s scary because you think what about, you know, what if that happens to us next?” told Maritza Figueroa, a resident across the street, in a statement obtained by

NBC Boston

. The investigation is ongoing, jointly conducted by the Southbridge Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office, to shed light on the exact causes of this devastating incident.

The quick response of neighbors who alerted others to the danger was critical in ensuring a safe evacuation. This collective action underscores the importance of community awareness and timely intervention in emergency situations. The current focus for investigators will be to determine whether the fire was an act of deliberate malice, as the evidence provided by residents suggests, and the local community awaits answers with bated breath.

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