Sirens could be heard as early as 7 a.m. this morning as fire crews rushed to the scene of a house fire on Veterans Way in Cambridge.
After a concerned neighbour called emergency services and reported smoke coming from the home, the Cambridge Fire Department was quick to extinguish the blaze.
No injuries were reported, but a cat was rescued by fire crews and given oxygen due to smoke inhalation.
Wyman Cunningham is the owner of the home and was getting ready for work when he was alerted that the property he's owned for 40 years was on fire.
“Luckily no one was in the home,” Cunningham said. “I’m just glad no one was hurt.”
The property has been vacant for months according to Cunningham. CFD reported finding a mattress at the scene of the fire, but nothing else to indicate squatters were living in the home.
Fire prevention officer Eric Yates estimates the damage to be around $50,000, but said that could rise after a more thorough investigation is completed.
“There is some extensive soot damage to the upper level of the house, but everything else was contained to the main level,” said Yates.
The home was to be renovated this coming winter, but with the fire Cunningham is taking it day by day.
“I just can’t believe it, I started my business in this garage here 37 years ago and now there’s just so much damage,” he said.
The humane society came to the scene of the fire and took the cat in before they begin the search to find it a new home.
Fire and insurance investigators are examining the home for further damage. There is no concern for public safety, but fire crews ask people to avoid the area while the investigation is underway.