Cats, Dog and Guinea Pig Rescued in Saturday Fire in Chelmford

The rescue count from Saturday's fire at 141 High Street: three cats, a dog and a guinea pig. The owners  were away on vacation at the time, and the cause is under investigation, says Capt. Henry Houle of the Fire/Explosion Investigation Unit of the Chelmsford Fire Department.

The department got a call at 3:07 p.m.  On arrival, they found heavy fire coming out the second floor windows over the garage.

Houle says he called for a "working fire," which means Chelmsford's five stations as well as Lowell's ladder to the scene, and Billerica fire department to cover our center station. 

"We forced entry and searched for occupants and began advancing hose lines for an 'aggressive fire attack,' Houle wrote in an email. "During this operation we vented the roof to reduce the heat and smoke and the fire was knocked down in about 40 minutes. Firefighters rescued 3 cats, a dog, and one guinea pig...."

The home is now boarded up. 

Houle adds: "I have to say that my crew did a remarkable job."