TOPSFIELD — A family of six and their dogs escaped injury shortly after midnight yesterday when a fire caused extensive damage to their home.
The two-alarm fire started in the living room and eventually caused fire, smoke and heat damage throughout the entire home at 193 Perkins Row.
None of the residents was injured but David Ahearn, a firefighter, fell and cut his leg, according to fire Chief Ronald Giovannacci. Ahearn was treated at Beverly Hospital and released.
Neighbors said yesterday the residents attempted to put out the fire themselves with fire extinguishers and a water hose, but the flames became overwhelming.
"It was very sad to see their house on fire," said neighbor Victor Dinarello.
Dinarello met the Davison family when he first moved to his home almost 20 years ago when the Davisons' dog, who was pregnant, walked up his driveway. Dinarello ended up adopting one of the dog's puppies.
"They're wonderful neighbors," he added.
Yesterday, Dinarello said he heard a knock on his door a quarter past midnight and one of the residents told him her house was on fire and to contact the fire department.
Dinarello's son, James, called 911.
Keith Percival, who lives across the street, heard his neighbors screaming for help.
"Once the (rain) showers died down, I could make out she was screaming her house was on fire," Percival said. "By that time, the whole house was engulfed in flames."
Firefighters were on scene until dawn and a fire truck was back at the scene yesterday morning.
No one was at the home, a split-level, wood-frame building near Meetinghouse Lane yesterday. The roof had extensive damage and was mostly destroyed. There was police tape still tied to the trees out front and the windows boarded up.
Assisting Topsfield firefighters at the scene were crews from Boxford and Ipswich. Danvers and the Hamilton Fire Department provided station coverage.
The state fire marshal's office responded to the scene. The state office is working with Topsfield's fire investigator, Capt. Jennifer Collins-Brown, to determine the cause of the blaze.
The chief said the fire does not appear to be suspicious.
Dinarello said he offered his home for the family, which includes three generations, but the family said they would be staying with relatives and other friends.
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