Roof collapses as firefighters battle Newton blaze

NEWTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Firefighters in Newton battled frigid temperatures as they worked to extinguish a house fire early Wednesday morning.

Crews responding to 46 Cook St. around 1:30 a.m. after a passerby spotted the flames rushed inside the two-family home to attack the fire when part of the roof collapsed, officials said.

“Made their way up to the second floor bedroom. The ceiling above them rained down fire above them, they had to back out,” Bruce Proia said.

The firefighters escaped injury and continued to knock down hot spots throughout the morning as they struggled with frozen fire hydrants.

Neighbor Jo Gray says she was worried the flames would spread to their homes.

“I  packed a bag because I thought maybe we were going to have to leave, and I just feel for my neighbors,” she said.

Officials say the homeowner and sole occupant of the house made it out safely.

The cause remains under investigation.

This is a developing story; stay with 7News on air and online for the latest updates.

(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)