ORANGE — Two older adults were seriously injured in a three-alarm house fire that broke out shortly before midnight, Orange Fire Chief James Young and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said this morning.

The fire does not appear suspicious. Officials said wood stoves were used to heat the home, which was badly damaged by the fire.

“Our foremost concern right now is for two members of our community who were seriously injured last night,” said Chief Young. “I want to thank our mutual aid partners for their vital assistance, and I especially want to recognize the firefighters who risked their own safety to rescue one occupant from a life-threatening environment.”

The fire at 99 West River St. was first reported at 11:49 pm. The Orange Fire Department responded to the scene and found heavy fire showing in the rear of the home. Upon learning that one occupant was trapped inside, firefighters immediately made entry and located one older adult inside. They rescued this occupant and provided medical care at the scene before the patient was transported to Athol Memorial Hospital. A second injured party, also an older adult, was also transported for medical care. Both were later transported to Boston hospitals. Two other occupants, both adults, escaped safely.

“Home heating equipment is the second-leading cause of residential fires in Massachusetts,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “If you use a fireplace or wood stove to heat your home, please use it safely. Use a fireplace screen or keep the door to the wood stove closed to prevent embers from escaping. Keep curtains, bedding, and anything else that can burn at least three feet away on all sides. And be sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.”

The home is a total loss and all four residents have been displaced. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Orange Fire Department and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.

###