One seriously injured, bystander who helped rescue him also injured, from Attleboro fire

Attleboro — Chief Scott LaChance announced that the Attleboro Fire Department handled a structure fire on Sunday afternoon, which injured two individuals and forced residents out of a two-family residence.

The call came in at approximately 1:45 p.m. for a blaze at 57 East Street.

Responders arrived to find smoke emanating from the ground-floor unit. They launched a forceful entry and rapidly extinguished the fire.

The flames were limited to the first-floor living room, though smoke permeated the entire structure.

A man living in the downstairs apartment sustained burns to his head and face, plus smoke inhalation, and was rushed by paramedics to Rhode Island Hospital.

A female bystander who helped the man escape also suffered injuries and was taken by ambulance to Sturdy Memorial Hospital for possible smoke inhalation.

The American Red Cross stepped in to offer short-term housing for those affected.

Firefighters cleared the scene by about 3:20 p.m.

“Our team’s swift response kept the fire from escalating beyond the living room and causing greater harm,” said District Chief Mark Renker. “We commend the neighbor’s brave attempt to assist and hope for speedy recoveries for both parties.”

The fire’s origin is still being investigated.

During the response, fire departments from Seekonk, Norton, and North Attleboro covered Attleboro’s stations.