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BERLIN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — At around 3:30 Friday morning, fire crews arrived to Pleasant Street in Berlin to find a home completely obliterated by an explosion that left one older woman dead and another in the hospital.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, firefighters worked to extinguish leftover fires at the site of the two and a half story structure for about an hour and a half.
On Friday afternoon, the deceased victim was identified as 79-year-old Judith Christensen.
Berlin Fire Chief Michael McQuillen tells WBZ-TV that first responders had to act rapidly to save the life of the surviving victim, Christensen's daughter, as crews elevated debris of the home's roof off of her.
"It was very heroic for them to be able to get in and lift that up and get her out from underneath that. The fire was advancing very quickly at that point— the seconds matter. Definitely was a factor in saving her life and keeping her alive," McQuillen said.
Officials say the surviving victim was transported from the scene with injuries that are not thought to be life threatening.
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At 10:45 a.m. the Berlin Police Department issued a traffic advisory that the roadway between Central Street and Jones Road would remain closed for the remainder of the day Friday while investigators worked the scene. Officials said Linden Street was also closed between South Street and Lyman Road.
In that same Facebook post, the BPD offered its condolences to the family and friends of the victims involved.
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