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The fire’s cause remains unknown, though investigators noted a hybrid car was parked in between the two homes.
A fire that engulfed two homes in Winthrop Sunday displaced four families, including one resident who gave birth to a baby girl shortly after being evacuated, authorities said.
The Winthrop Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 155-157 River Road shortly before 4:30 p.m. Officers arrived to find flames consuming two homes, according to a press release from the Town of Winthrop.
The blaze escalated to four alarms, drawing assistance from neighboring communities, including fire departments from Somerville, Medford, and Lynn, officials said.
In total, four families were forced from their homes and spent Sunday night with relatives and friends, according to town officials.
“A pregnant woman was transported to the hospital as a precaution with her husband, and we were notified this morning that she had gone into labor, and they welcomed their baby daughter to the world,” the town said.
Members of the Winthrop’s Community & Law Enforcement Assisted Recovery team contacted the affected families Monday to help coordinate support and recovery efforts, officials said.
The fire was eventually extinguished, but investigators have not yet determined its cause. Town Manager Anthony Marino told Boston.com that a hybrid vehicle had been parked between the two homes, though officials have not concluded whether it ultimately played a role in the fire.
“I am incredibly proud of the quick and coordinated efforts of our first responders, which prevented the flames from spreading further,” Fire Chief Stephen Calandra said. “We also want to remind all residents of the importance of working smoke detectors, as they provide critical early warning that saves lives.”
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