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Lack of fire hydrants delays firefighting efforts, building a total loss

FRANKLIN, Mass. — A massive fire destroyed a building in Franklin on Thursday night.

Firefighters received a call at around 11:20 p.m. for a possible barn fire on Mount Street.

At the scene, firefighters found a one and a half story wood-frame home completely engulfed in flames. Since the home was currently under renovations, there were no occupants inside it at the time of the fire.

Initial efforts tackled the fire from inside using all available fire apparatus tank water, but the lack of fire hydrants in the area forced companies to call in mutual aid tankers from nearby towns.

Despite their best efforts, firefighters didn't have a reliable water supply to properly fight the fire before it got worse and consumed the building.

The fire got to second alarm, where additional water tankers had to be called to the scene.

Officials say the building has an assessed value of $300,000 and will most likely be a total loss.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, but says that it does not appear to have been suspicious.

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