Fire consumes Newton home

Evan Richman/Globe StaffEveryone escaped a three-alarm fire in Newton last night. (Evan Richman/Globe Staff)

NEWTON - A chimney fire tore through a single-family home on Sterling Street last night, sending a family fleeing into the cold night as firefighters struggled with the blaze.

No one was seriously injured in the three-alarm fire, which started at about 10:30. Firefighters continued to work into the early-morning hours to extinguish the blaze.

"It's stubborn," said Fire Chief Joseph LaCroix. He said flames had crept into the 2 1/2-story home's cathedral ceiling. Firefighters had to chop down ceilings to access the flames, which roared through the roof.

Sydney Grannon, 14, who lives in the house, said she and her family had lighted a fire in the fireplace. Soon after, she said, smoke started spreading and a smoke alarm went off. She said her family thought nothing of it until she could see smoke creeping up through the floorboards of her second-floor bedroom. She, her father, and grandparents fled the home. Her mother and brother were not at home.

Grannon said her grandparents had been staying in anticipation of Thanksgiving Day, and other relatives were expected to arrive today. She said her family was able to flee with the pet birds and two dogs.

"That's the important thing; everyone's out," she said.

The home was severely damaged by the fire. According to city records, it is assessed at $1.4 million.

Milton Valencia can be reached at mvalencia@globe.com.