Rockland, MA fire leaves 1 dead, 1 injured – NBC Boston

One person died and another was injured in a fire in Rockland, Massachusetts, Friday morning.

The fire happened around 3:37 a.m. on Vernon Street, the Rockland Fire Department said.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they were confronted with heavy flames and smoke coming from the rear of the home, authorities said.

Preliminary reports suggest an occupant of the home fled after hearing smoke alarms and informing firefighters that a second person was still inside. The person who escaped the building was transported to a local hospital and firefighters entered the two-story single-family home to search for the second person and extinguish the fire.

Firefighters found the second occupant unconscious inside the home. They began life-saving measures and the victim was then transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

It took firefighters about an hour to put out the flames.

The fire chief said weather conditions made it difficult to fight the flames. They therefore called for additional reinforcements from 10 regional services.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it appears to have started in the rear of the first floor. Firefighters said the fire did not appear suspicious.