Overview
- Fire broke out around 5:30 p.m. at a two-story home near James and Sherwood roads, prompting a three-alarm response.
- The homeowner suffered burns and a firefighter was hospitalized, with both injuries described as non-life-threatening by Chief Rick Nelson.
- Interior crews were withdrawn once the blaze escalated, and firefighters continued working from the exterior as nearby streets were closed.
- Fire officials cited heavy personal belongings that clogged hallways and reduced visibility, with cold and snow further hindering efforts.
- Departments from Woburn, Stoneham, Burlington, and North Reading assisted, and crews expected to stay overnight as the cause remains under investigation.