Canton Family Displaced After Fire Destroys Home

CANTON, MA — A Canton family was displaced after an overnight fire burned down their home Wednesday, according to fire officials. When firefighters arrived at the Boathouse Road home around 11:20 p.m., they found heavy flames coming from the attic of the two-and-a-half-story house.

Because the majority of the fire was in the attic, fire officials said it was difficult for crews to douse the flames. Firefighters from Stoughton, Norwood, Sharon, Randolph, Westwood, Avon, Milton and Foxborough came to help, but the roof eventually collapsed leaving the home a total loss. The fire was extinguished by around 6 a.m. Thursday.

No injuries were reported. All six residents got out of the house before firefighters arrived thanks to properly functioning smoke detectors, fire officials said. The family is displaced but are staying with relatives for the time being.

"This incident shows the importance of working smoke detectors which allowed this family to escape from the house unharmed," Fire Chief Charles Doody said. "We're grateful for the strength of the area's mutual aid system and would like to thank our neighboring departments for the assistance they provided."

Fire officials said the fire originated from the back deck, and the flames spread up the wall and into the attic. The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's Office said the cause of the fire was accidental.