TURNERS FALLS, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — A pet was saved from a structure fire on Turnpike Road in Turners Falls Friday afternoon. The fire was reported at 12:53 p.m. as a kitchen fire and once on scene, firefighters found all residents safely out of the building. The homeowner’s dog was rescued and reunited with her owner.
From the Montague Police Department:
Officers, Detectives, and Deputy Assist in Residential Fire Response and Rescue on Turnpike Road
Montague, MA — December 19, 2025 — On Friday, December 19, 2025, at approximately 12:53 pm, officers from the Montague Police Department, along with a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy, responded to a reported kitchen fire at a residence located at 40 Turnpike Road.
Upon arrival, Officers Jacob Lapean and Nathan Pervere, along with Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Zachery Caloon, encountered the resident outside the home. The resident informed officers that her dog, Bella, was still inside the living room. Officers immediately observed active flames coming from the kitchen area of the residence.
Demonstrating quick thinking and decisive action, the officers retrieved fire extinguishers from their patrol vehicles and deployed four extinguishers in an effort to suppress the fire while simultaneously attempting to locate the dog. Although their actions initially slowed the fire’s progression, heavy black smoke conditions ultimately forced the officers to exit the residence for safety reasons.
Shortly after the initial response, Detective Sergeant Joshua Hoffman and Detective Christopher Smerz arrived on scene and assisted the Turners Falls Fire Department by helping with fireground setup and establishing traffic control to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and the public.
The Turners Falls Fire Department quickly took over fire suppression efforts. Thanks to the coordinated response of law enforcement and fire personnel, Bella was successfully rescued and safely reunited with her owner.
The Montague Police Department commends Officers Lapean and Pervere, Deputy Caloon, Detective Sergeant Hoffman, Detective Smerz, and the Turners Falls Fire Department for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment to protecting life during a dangerous and rapidly evolving situation.
From the Turners Falls Fire Department:
12/19/25
12:53PM
Turnpike Road
-Structure Fire-
At approximately 1253pm this afternoon the Turners Falls Fire Department was dispatched to a residence on Turnpike Road for a reported fire in a kitchen. The 2 members on duty responded in Engine 1 with Greenfield – MA Fire Department sending an engine over on auto-response*.
While en route Massachusetts State Police Shelburne Control Regional Dispatch Center updated crews that Montague Police Department officers on scene had fire showing on arrival. Given these conditions mutual aid was called in from
Montague Center Fire Department – Inc. 1941, Town of Erving Fire Department, Bernardston Fire Department, and Orange, MA Fire Rescue EMS.
With all residents out of the building, and with assistance from Montague Police officers on scene, crews quickly went to work extinguishing the fire and checking for fire extension throughout the building.
The homeowner’s dog was located and brought to safety with a neighbor providing care.
The homeowner was evaluated by AMR ambulance and no firefighter injuries were reported during the incident
Turners Falls Fire thanks all dispatch and mutual aid companies whom aided and responded to this incident, and especially to the Montague Police for their quick actions on scene.
*With any reported fires in residences or businesses in either Turners Falls or Greenfield, both departments are automatically dispatched to aid in safety and staffing.