Firefighters make quick work of kitchen fire in Nort hampton

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Firefighters from four area communities quickly doused a blaze Thursday afternoon that a fire official said broke out in the kitchen of a Platinum Circle home.

According to Deputy Fire Chief David Gagne, at 12:26 p.m. firefighters responded to 42 Platinum Circle for a report that smoke was coming from the two-story home's upstairs windows.

Christina and Belinda Pocsik, who live next door at 46 Platinum Circle, first noticed the fire on their way home for a lunch break, when they heard smoke detectors going off inside the house and saw black smoke rising from the windows.

After trying to get in through the front door, which they said was locked, the two women said they went around to the backyard. They called 911 after seeing flames coming out of the rear windows.

"We saw the grandmother's car in the driveway, and she baby-sits the kids, so our primary concern was making sure there wasn't anyone still inside," Belinda Pocsik said.

Gagne said firefighters received initial reports that a grandmother and toddler were in the house, but discovered that the house was empty shortly after they arrived.

A woman who neighbors said was the grandmother could be seen crying as she walked down the street toward the fire. Her name was not available.

Soon after, Gagne said engines from the Northampton, Easthampton, Williamsburg and Westhampton fire departments converged on the home, and firefighters quickly got inside to put out a fire in the kitchen.

"Our Florence crew did an excellent job," Gagne said. "They went right in there and knocked that fire down in about 20 minutes. They did outstanding work."

After entering the home through the front door, Gagne said firefighters smashed out several of the front windows to allow heat to escape. Easthampton's aerial ladder was extended over the roof in case the fire spread to the upper floor.

"I don't want to estimate the damage to the house, but I think it is salvageable and can be fixed," Gagne said. "The family should be back in there soon."

According to the Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, the deed on the property was signed in 2002 and the house belongs to Thomas J. Estes and Kristin Edmonds.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Gagne said.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.