MURFREESBORO, TN - A fire broke out at a townhome in the Puckett Downs neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon in Murfreesboro, leaving the unit on Sunday Silence Way badly damaged. The street had to be temporarily closed as firetrucks parked in front of the townhome, hooked to their water supply and then moved into action to battle the blaze.

Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue responded to the residence shortly after 3 PM and confirmed the family was able to safely evacuate the unit prior to their arrival. Reports indicate the family dog made it out of the home unharmed, but the cat was still inside when firemen pulled up.

WGNS received several calls from listeners who live outside of the Puckett Downs neighborhood, which is located behind Blackman High School, and those callers told us they could see smoke from several miles away. 

With flames coming out of the structure, fire crews quickly sprayed water on the burning unit, aiming to douse the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other properties. Those neighboring properties were more susceptible to damage due to the fact that the burning unit is part of a row of two-story townhomes, each containing three to five homes. Because the townhomes are so closely situated, firefighters took precautionary measures by ensuring neighbors had evacuated their homes and were at a safe distance from the fire while they fought the flames.

Once the blaze died down and it was safe enough to enter, firemen ran inside to rescue the furry family feline. Needless to say, the residents were thankful that the cat was found unharmed.

By the end of the day, Murfreesboro fire crews successfully stopped the fire from spreading, but the townhome still suffered extensive damage. The blaze caused severe damage to both the interior and exterior of the unit, destroying most of the garage and an upstairs bedroom. Two vehicles were also damaged by the fire. Additionally, the heat melted the vinyl siding on an adjacent townhome.

Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office will be investigating the cause of the fire over the next few days. As for what may have caused the fire - - it is too soon to tell. But as soon as those details are available, WGNS will update this article. 

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