Two men died after a fire broke out early Saturday morning in a home in Chelmsford. Fire officials said the home on Mobile Avenue had no working smoke detectors.

Early morning fire

"This is a very sad day for our community and especially for the two families who lost loved ones," said Chelmsford Fire Chief Gary Ryan. "On behalf of the Chelmsford Fire Department, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences."

A neighbor reported the fire just before 4:45 a.m. Saturday morning. The Chelmsford Fire Department happened to be close by due to an unrelated call and was able to respond in moments. When they arrived, the home had smoke and flames in the front and rear of the building. 

Firefighters entered the home to look for residents and to fight the fire from the inside. 

"They were great. They were in there so fast," neighbor David Crear said.

They removed two men in their 50s from the home who had died.

"They couldn't save him, and then they turned around and brought the other fellow out, and he was already gone," Crear said. " For years, we've been next-door neighbors, friends. He was a good guy, you know?" 

Crear said that one of the men was disabled and had moved in with the other man last week.

No working smoke detectors

The state fire marshal said early investigations revealed the home did not have any working smoke alarms.   

"Investigators found no working smoke alarms at the scene," said State Fire Marshal Jon Davine. "We can't stress enough how important smoke alarms are to surviving a fire at home - especially when we're sleeping. Please take a few minutes today to be sure you and your loved ones are protected."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, authorities said it does not appear suspicious. The identities of the two men killed in the fire have not been released yet.