Photos/Story By: Ricci B. Ruschioni
The Templeton, Massachusetts Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire on Hubbardston Road shortly after 11:00 PM Tuesday night, October 17. The house was located in a very rural part of Templeton, a short distance from the Hubbardston town line.
When the first fire units arrived on the scene, they reported the house fully involved with the fire already through the roof.
Second and Third alarms were transmitted.
Due to the lack of hydrants in the area, the Templeton Fire Chief requested four tankers mutual aid to the fire.
Three portable water tanks were set up as firefighters fought the blaze from the exterior.
Shortly after firefighters arrived, the body of a 64 year old man was found laying outside of the house, just below a window.
Templeton firefighters and EMT's started CPR and transported the man to the hospital.
The man later died, and he turned out to be the owner of the house.
Over forty firefighters fought the blaze and mutual aid was requested from Hubbardston, Phillipston, Winchendon, Barre and Gardner.
The cause of this fatal fire remains under investigation by the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal's Office, the District Attorney's Office and the Templeton Police.
No firefighters were injured battling the blaze and the house was a total loss.
