Firefighters cut through the roof to access the blaze in the attic, as seen from the Allen Street side of the house.
A 28-year-old Shrewsbury man was hospitalized after a fire tore through a Patterson Avenue home during a thunderstorm early Friday morning.
The blaze was the second major fire battled by borough volunteers and those from neighboring towns in less than a week. Last Friday, a fire reported to be electrical in origin destroyed the Memory Bowling lanes on Newman Springs Road, just two blocks from the scene of this morning’s blaze.
Smoke pours through the roof of the house at the corner of Patterson Avenue and Allen Street.
Firefighters were still battling the blaze at 2:30a, more than an hour after they were called to the scene at 44 Patterson. Property records show the house is owned by a Gordon Litwin.
Fire Chief Pete Gibson said it was too early to say if the house was hit by lightning. Neighbor Mike Zazzarino and others said they heard a sizzling noise shortly before the house went up in flames.
Gibson said the victim was a 28-year-old man, but was unable to release more information immediately. Neighbors identified the victim as Matt Accera.
Neighbor Carol McLoughlin said the fire was the second at the house in about 15 years. The last one forced the same family that lives there now to relocate for nearly a year while the house was rebuilt, she said.
Firefighters at the front door to the house, above, and attacking the blaze from an aerial ladder, below.
Great job to the members of the SHC and neighboring towns AGAIN special props to J. Merris and Bruce MacDonald.
Another good job.
I would like to say what a great job all the firefighters did espically the four firefighters that were assigned to the rescue of the victim. I am proud to be the chief of shrewsbury fire dept and to work with the best guys in the business. With firefighters like these guys anybody would be proud to be with them. Again GREAT job to all and thank you
Shrewsbury is fortunate to have such a dedicated and skilled Fire Department. Through the years the guys have won many skilled competitions against other surrounding are fire companies. Their training and hard work all year long showed up at the recent fire at the Memory Lanes Bowling Alley fire and now this one. Congrats guys on a job well done!!!!!
I want to thank everyone that went into the house in search of my cousin Matt. I got the call this morning in AL from my mother and we are all praying for Matt’s recovery. again Thank You All. I feel that even that isn’t emnough. ypu all saved his life and because if u we will have more yrs with him.
On behalf of the Litwin family, thank you all for the heroic and selfless work that you do. We are hoping for a rapid recovery for our nephew and recognize that your efforts saved his life. We also appreciate the support of our friends and of this wonderful community.
Great job to all my fellow members of shrewsbury hose co. the past two weeks, especially chief Gibson. Keep up the good works guys and a special thanks to all our mutual aid towns.
Nice pic of the tower flowing water in to the attic with the guys in there pulling ceilings down. Hope no firefighter got burn doing that.
Hey, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME” if you look close, the tower i’snt flowing water. Its coming from the ground of the BC corner. How about you shut your mouth and just say something nice about the heroic rescue made by the 4 firefighters from shrewsbury and to the healthy and speedy recovery of the victims.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME” I guess you are not a fireman and if youare not a very good one. The guys were on the tower opening the roof for the guys in the attic. Not flowing water. Just because a tower is up it doesnt meen its flowing. Know your facts before you make stuip comments. Again thanks to all and great job
typo “stupid”
What Bruce and John did that night is what we as firefighters spend ours days training for. They are two incredibly humble individuals who deserve nothing but the highest accolades. I am nothing but privileged to be able serve on the department with them.
And those who have negative comments, a. get your facts straight and b. man up, if you have something to say, be sure to sign your name to it.
Matt is my cousin. He is in very critical condition right now, undergoing alot of treatments for multiple injuries. I need ALL of you, religious or not, to pray for him and hold him close to your hearts. He is a tough cookie and I feel strongly in my heart his will to live is strong and he will pull through this but he needs all the prayers and love he can get. Thanks to everyone who is keeping him in their thoughts and prayers. All my love to you Matt. Lou and Rich, stay strong, he will get through this, he feels your love, I know he does.