House Fire Quickly Knocked Down in Waltham

At 5:20PM on Monday Evening November 26th 2012 Waltham 911 dispatch center received a call reporting a dryer vent on fire in a home at 17 Mt. Pleasant Street which is a small side street off School Street in Waltham.

The Box was struck and Engine 2, Engine 3, Rescue 6 & Ladder Tower 1 along with Car 2 (Deputy Quinn) responded. On arrival Deputy Micheal Quinn reported a dryer vent fire on the 1st floor of a 2.5 Story Wood Frame Dwelling and advised Engine 2 to pull down the street and grab a hydrant. The occupants had extinguished some of the flames as the first companies pulled up.

The fire soon extended into the walls and Engine 2 stretched a line into the rear of the building. Another line was stretched through the front door as a precaution. Rescue 6 checked the 2nd Floor and reported some minor extension with a smoke condition throughout the house. Ladder Tower 1 began opening walls as Engine 2 charged the line and quickly knocked down the fire.

No injuries were reported. The house suffered smoke & water damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.

                           Engine 2 was the only truck who could fit up this small side street

                                                Engine 2 charging the hydrant

                                          Smoke coming from the rear of the building

                                       Companies working at rear of building

Saturday Morning Rollover sends one to Boston Hospital

At 9:26AM Newton Fire, Police and Cataldo EMS Responded to 774 Commonwealth Avenue for a reported rollover with possible entrapment. On arrival companies reported a 2 car MVA with one rolled over and confirmed entrapment. Companies went to work extricating the victim. The victim was boarded and transported to Beth Israel Medical center in Boston with unknown injuries.

The accident remains under investigation by the Newton Police Department.

                                              Photo Courtesy of Steven Walsh

Gas Explosion in Downtown Springfield Levels Building, Injures 18

A Major Natural Gas Explosion in Downtown Springfield has injured several people this Friday tonight.

At 4:20PM Columbia Gas Co. Responded to 452 Worthington Street in Downtown Springfield for a strong odor of Natural Gas. Springfeild Police and Fire also responded to the scene. Gas readings reached explosive levels and the building was evacuated.

At 5:25PM just as companies were about to pack up and give the all clear the building at 452 Worthington Street EXPLODED. The massive explosion was felt for miles and several police and firefighters including gas company workers were blown back from the force of the explosion. Windows for several blcoks wrre blown out and shattered.

The Fire Chief imediatly struck a 2nd Alarm for additional manpower and requested all available EMS units in the city to respond. Mass State Police Responded to assist with preventing looting and the Air Wing Responded to the scene. Emergency workers began searching all area buildings and evacuating residents and buisinesses.

At this time the injuries which are all minor include......
9 Springfield Firefighters
2 Springfield Police Officers
1 Springfield Water Department Employee
4 Columbia Gas Company Workers
2 Civilians

Officials say the original building at 452 Worthing Street was a strip club, a 2-3 Story Brick Building which was leveled. 12 other buildings in surrounding area have significant damage.

The entire incident currently remains under investigation.

Fatal Fire Strikes Cambridge Triple Decker

At 12:34AM on Tuesday November 13th 2012 Cambridge began receiving several 911 calls reporting flames coming from the top floor of a structure at 294 Columbia Street. Box 297 was struck and companies reported heavy fire showing from the top floor of a 3 Story Wood Frame 25x75 with a report of someone trapped on the top floor.

Division 1 chief on arrival struck a 2nd Alarm to bring extra manpower to the fire. PD tried to search the building but had to pull back due to the heavy fire. Rescue 1 conducted a primary search on the top floor and found one vale victim already deceased. Companies stretched several lines and vented the roof knocking down the fire in 30 Minutes.

The body of the male was pulled from the building later and the Fire remains under investigation by the Massachusetts State Fire Marshall's Office.

                                                 Photo by Mark Parkinson

Car Crashes Into House in Waltham

Just before 1:30AM on Sunday November 11th 2012 I heard a loud bang and crash from my house. When I looked out the window I saw a car into the side of my Neighbors house at 70 Maple Street in Waltham. I imediatley called 911 and then grabbed my camera and ran to the scene.

Waltham Police, C-2 (Deputy Quinn), Engine 1 & AMR Medic 1 Responded to the scene. Companies and EMT's backboarded the victim as a percaution and transported her to Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Deputy Chief Micheal Quinn requested Rescue 6 to respond to the scene as well as a Building inspector due to damage to the buildings foundation.

Companies worked for 90 Minutes cutting wood and shoring up the foundation of the two story house. The accident currently remains under investigation by the Waltham Police Department.