Firefighters Respond to Two-Alarm Fire in Winchester

Winchester firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire broke out at a Highland Avenue home Monday evening.

Around 5:30 p.m. Monday, police and fire officers responded to the fire at 344 Highland Ave. in Winchester.

The first responding company found heavy smoke showing from rear of the home and the roof section and a second alarm was ordered, according to Winchester Fire Chief John Nash. The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but lightning most likely caused it, according to the fire chief.

"(Firefighters) were able to knock down the bulk of the fire immediately at the building and then worked their way up into the attic to make sure the fire did not extend across the entire attic," Nash said, adding that no one was inside the home during the blaze.

The fire was extinguished in about 10 minutes while the scene was secured in 30-45 minutes, according to the fire chief. Stoneham, Woburn and Medford firefighters provided mutual aid, Nash added. 

No one, including firefighters, were injured during the fire, according to Nash. 

A married couple, Richard and Elisabeth Sweeney, has lived at the residence for several years, according to a neighbor. The homeowners were not immediately available for comment.

Several engines and ladder trucks, including were on scene and police cruisers blocked off sections of Highland Avenue and Prospect Street. As of 8 p.m. Monday, a Winchester fire engine was still parked on Highland near the home where the fire occurred.

A formal fire report is expected to be released on Tuesday, according to Nash.