Dog Perishes, 5 Homeless After House Fire

A fierce house fire in Orange on Tuesday night left five residents homeless and claimed the life of a dog. Emergency responders were dispatched to Packard Road at 9:37 p.m. upon reports of trapped occupants. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant blaze consuming the rear of the building, with flames reaching the roof.

Firefighting efforts were hampered by a difficult water supply in the rural location, necessitating water retrieval from a nearby pond. Conditions inside the home deteriorated rapidly, forcing crews to evacuate. The fire was ultimately extinguished shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

An initial investigation suggests the fire originated from an uncontained outdoor fire that was left unattended. This outdoor fire subsequently spread to a shed on the property before engulfing the main residence. Investigators also determined that the home lacked functioning smoke alarms, a critical safety feature.

Over ten additional fire departments assisted in combating the blaze. The Orange Fire Department issued a reminder to residents about the dangers of unattended outdoor fires and the necessity of working smoke alarms.