Dracut teen helps younger siblings evacuate during house fire

DRACUT – A Dracut teenager stayed cool late Friday morning, helping his younger siblings escape a fire that broke out in their Arlington Street home.

Dracut Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Mackey said the teen “did a heck of a job.”

“He had the presence of mind to come out of the house with his younger siblings as soon as he realized there was a fire,” Mackey said. “He remained calm and even closed the front door, which probably saved a large part of the house from an even bigger fire.”

Firefighters were called around 10 a.m. to the single-family home with a shared entrance, located at 470 Arlington Street. Mackey, who was the first firefighter on scene, found light smoke coming from the front of the house. Further investigation revealed heavy smoke in the basement.

Firefighters from the first arriving engine stretched a garden hose to the basement, where they discovered flames coming from a closet. Crews were able to quickly bring the fire under control, preventing the damage from extending beyond the basement.

The teenager, who was at home with his two brothers and sisters, then told firefighters that he smelled smoke, that he realized there was a fire, that he quickly walked out of the house and closed the door. He then called 911.

No injuries were reported.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, closing doors during a building fire helps contain and slow the spread of a fire by cutting off the oxygen it needs to burn. Closing doors during a building fire will also limit the spread of smoke, helping to keep emergency exits clear, while preventing further damage and limiting smoke inhalation.

Fire officials said the three children and their two parents were temporarily displaced due to the fire, but the family said they have a place to stay while the damage to their home is repaired.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Dracut Fire Investigation Unit and police.

Firefighters from Pelham, NH, rendered mutual aid to the scene, while firefighters from Lowell and Tyngsboro covered the Dracut stations.

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