Fire on Central Street destroys Springfield residence

By Patrick Johnson, The Republican

March 07, 2010, 11:13PM

SPRINGFIELD – A Central Street fire Sunday night destroyed a 2 ½ story home and left four people homeless, a fire official said.

No one was injured in the fire, which was reported just before 10 p.m., said Capt Michael Richard.

When the first firefighters arrived on scene, flames were visible in the second floor windows, he said.

Firefighters initially went inside to combat the fire, but were soon ordered outside for safety reasons, he said.

Flames spread from the second floor to the attic and eventually collapsed the roof. Richard said the building is a total loss.

Firefighters were still on scene late Sunday.

Both residences on either side of 99 Central St. sustained damage, and firefighters were working to keep the flames from spreading, Richard said.

The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation by the Springfield Arson and Bomb Squad, he said.

The fire was just down the hill from the intersection with Maple Street.