News

Driver to be cited in crash that caused house fire in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. — Worcester police plan to cite the driver who is blamed for a crash that caused a house fire.

Worcester firefighters were called to a car accident on Cambridge Street late Monday night, but when they got to the scene, flames had quickly moved up to the third floor and attic of a triple decker.

Officials say within ten minutes, the attic was fully involved. The home has a slate roof which started to collapse into the third floor.

"Underneath the siding there is asphalt shingles, so we call that gasoline shingles. As soon as fire hit that, it just lights right up like a roman candle and goes straight up into the third floor, so we really had very little chance of catching this fire before it got into the attic space," said Worcester Fire Deputy Chief Martin Dyer.

Four residents inside the home were able to get out safely. The Red Cross is now assisting them.

Police said a preliminary investigation shows the driver was traveling on Cambridge Street at a speed that was "greater than reasonable and proper" when he lost control and hit a wall. The car caught fire. It  was close enough to the building so that the flames spread to one of the walls.

Police located the driver walking on Mill Street.  Investigators determined the he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was not arrested but will be cited once the investigation is complete.