An elderly man was killed and a firefighter was injured during a blaze Saturday morning at a two-story home in Fall River, Massachusetts.
The fire broke out inside the home on Palmer Street at about 4 a.m.
The Bristol County District Attorney's office said even though fire crews were able to knock the blaze down in 15 minutes, 88-year-old William Graham was unable to escape from the second floor and died.
"I saw the smoke on top and all I kept thinking was the old man," said neighbor Deborah Rodriguez. "The firemen were going in and going out with ladders and everything."
Another neighbor, Robin Brouillard-Bettencourt, said she knew Graham for decades. She said she rushed over to take a cat that the firefighters found alive inside the house.
"I took care of him. I loved him," said Brouillard-Bettencourt referring to Graham. "The man got me through a lot of hard times, you know? A lot of support."
One firefighter was injured in the blaze. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment and later released.
U.S. & World
The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the exact cause of the fire but authorities said at this time it appears to be accidental.
