BROCKTON — A blaze on Waverly Street Monday displaced 11 residents and killed an unknown number of exotic animals.
Falling debris injured Firefighter John Razza, who was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center for evaluation, Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli said. The cause of the fire at 9 Waverly St. remains under investigation.
The fire started about 11 a.m. When the first two Brockton Fire trucks arrived, they found heavy fire on the second floor extending into the third floor of the three-story multi-family home, which is divided into six condos. Firefighters initially heard that one person was trapped on the third floor. This turned out not to be the case, and the woman was found unharmed outside.
The second floor held multiple animal cages, Nardelli said. There was a flying squirrel, lizards and at least one snake. Firefighters discovered the snake when it caught on a hook the firefighters were using. Firefighters rescued a yellow lizard. An unknown number of cats may have been living on the third floor, the chief said.
The incident showed the value of a new rescue truck, a piece of equipment the department put into service in June, Nardelli said. He described it as being like “a giant toolbox on wheels” that enables several types of rescues. The rescue truck was able to get firefighters onto the third floor quickly when it was thought a person was trapped there.
“One advantage is you’re able to get people above the fire,” the chief said. “It went well. Everybody worked hard. It’s nice when you put something into service.”
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