Family rescued, cat saved from roof after 5-alarm fire destroys Ayer home

AYER, Mass. — A family and their pet cat was rescued after a massive fire broke out at a home in Ayer on Sunday afternoon.

The fire began on the top floor of the home on East Main Street – which in combination with today’s heat made for a tough rescue for local firefighters. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

“It was tough to get up in the attic up over the third floor where there’s no access, so it was just a tough job,” said Ayer Fire Chief Robert Pedrazzi. “It’s a tough hot day, it’s over 90 degrees out and it was a lot of work.”

According to Pedrazzi, the fire quickly escalated to five alarms because of the heat.

The home was destroyed, leaving the family homeless. Meanwhile, the Red Cross is helping the family find a temporary place to stay.

As smoke poured out of the windows and flames ripped through the home, there was a beacon of light as the firefighters were able to save the family’s cat from the roof.

“Some people don’t think a cat is important but for my daughter, it’s the only thing she has,” said the homeowner, Nair Polcheira.

Pedrazzi said rescuing the cat wasn’t an easy task since the fire was already a challenge to put out.

As the summer weather kicks in, Pedrazzi said it becomes more difficult for his crews to fight the flames.

“You [have to] wear the same gear you wear in the winter and the summer and it just beats everybody up,” said Pedrazzi.

The firefighters managed to get the entire family and the cat out safely, something the homeowners do not take for granted. “It’s the kind of thing you cannot imagine,” said Polcheira. “They [did] an amazing job, we are so thankful to God and now this firefighter.”

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