A Memorial Day house fire on Riner Street in Framingham is likely 'a total loss'

FRAMINGHAM — A Riner Street home appears to be a total loss after a one-alarm fire on Memorial Day left an elderly man displaced, authorities said.

The cause of the 1:45 p.m. blaze at 19 Riner St. is still not known, although investigators suspect either an electrical problem or careless disposal of smoking materials, Fire Chief Michael Dutcher said Tuesday.

"It's most likely going to be a total loss," he said. "There's quite a bit of damage inside."

Firefighters responded to the single-family home at 1:45 p.m. Monday after a neighbor called 911. Upon arrival, they were met with heavy fire coming from both the front and rear of the home.

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"Crews did an outstanding job pushing in to knock down the fire," Dutcher said in a release.

According to the city assessor's database, the home is owned by Wesley Delano. The ranch-style home was built in 1954 and was last assessed at $376,300.

The resident was displaced and is staying with family. A cat remains missing. The cat, Kit, is believed to have escaped. It is a black-and-white tuxedo cat. If anyone has seen Kit, they are asked to call 508-877-6723.

According to the Fire Department, the owner said Kit is scared "and may run."

"We're still looking for it (the cat)," said Dutcher.

The fire remains under investigation.

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham fire leaves elderly man without a home, cat missing