Sanderson Ave. Fire Under Investigation, Foul Play Not Suspected

Dedham and state fire officials are investigating the cause of a two-alarm fire that tore through the roof of a Sanderson Avenue home in Dedham overnight Tuesday, and said that foul play was most likely not involved.  

"There's no indications whatsoever there was any foul play," Dedham's Acting Fire Chief William Spillane said. "With everything we were able to determine, the house appears to be a total loss."

The fire started on the exterior of the building around the porch area, and crews responded to the home shortly after midnight Tuesday, Spillane said. Crews were on scene until about 4 a.m., after which one engine remained to keep watch over any potential flare-ups.

"When the first trucks arrived, they had heavy fire that had already involved the whole front exterior of the building, and it had started to extend to the attic area," he said. 

The residents of the home, which Spillane said he believed included two parents and two children, were displaced from the fire but were not injured as a result. Donations to help the family can reportedly be brought to the Oakdale Elementary School.

"They were out of the building upon our arrival, which was a very good thing," Spillane said. "There were no injuries to any firefighters."

The Massachusetts Fire Marshal was called to investigate, Spillane said, adding that a definite cause has not yet been reported to the Dedham Fire Department. The damage, meanwhile, is estimated to be valued in the range of about $400,000, and the cause remains under investigation. 

The Oakdale Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, meanwhile, sent thoughts and prayers to the family affected Tuesday and said parents teachers and staff are working on putting together help for support. The PTO planned to discuss ideas for how to help at its meeting Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Oakdale School.