HOLYOKE, MA - A basement fire that got into the void spaces of a balloon framed constructed home did significant damage to this two-family home in Holyoke, MA on Sunday, November 24th.

A 911 call at 4:45 p.m. alerted city firefighters the fire at 45 Portland St. and first arriving companies had smoke and fire showing from the basement level on the Delta side. Companies stretched two lines into the basement and knocked down the visible fire quickly, but the fire had already gained a foothold in the void spaces and was making its way up. Crews then got to work on the first and second floors, opening walls and ceilings and chasing fire on both floors before the fire was brought under control.

During the height of the fire, mutual aid crews back filled city stations as well as stood by as the RIT on scene along with recalled off duty HFD fire fighters staffing spare apparatus. No injuries were reported, but six residents were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Red Cross. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the HFD Fire Investigation Unit.