BROCKTON, MASS. (WHDH) - Brockton fire crews battled through cold conditions late Friday night to extinguish a blaze that destroyed a home on Walnut Street.
Fire officials say there was an initial call for an elderly person in the building, though a search did not uncover anyone. An initial indication indicates the fire broke out somewhere in the basement around midnight.
Brockton Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Marchetti said heavy fire and hoarding-like conditions made battling the blaze more difficult. Officials do not believe the person was in the building when the fire broke out.
There were no reported injuries, but neighbors are voicing frustrations about the house. Abandoned for years, they consider it a fire hazard.
“It was pretty scary last night, big flames coming from the first floor, the top floor,” Liana Brito, one of the concerned neighbors, said. “This is an abandoned house, it’s been for probably 3 years or so. And we always complain to the city about it but nothing really happens.”
Crews spent the day Saturday boarding up windows and fencing off the property. They said the top of the house is now leaning in, the home is destroyed and will likely be torn down.
Frustrated nearby residents said they’ll be relieved to see it go.
“I’m happy that nobody got hurt, and hopefully this house is going to be teared down,” Brito said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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