Basement Fire During Snow Storm Damages Waltham Home

At 9:11AM on Sunday February 17th 2013 during a Snow Storm that brought 3" of snow and strong winds ,Waltham Fire struck Box 234 for a report of a building fire at 10 Sun Street off Prospect Street. C-2, Engine 1, Engine 4, Rescue 6 & Ladder 2 responded to the Box. While enroute multiple 911 calls were coming in reporting a fire in the building.

On arrival Engine 4 called off with smoke showing from the rear of the building. Firefighters soon located a fire in the basement and stretched a line off Engine 4 and brought it into the basement. The Hydrant next door to the building was not working and 2nd due Engine (Engine 1) had to lay a 4" feeder from the Hydrant on Prospect Street to the front of the building (Approx 450 Feet) to establish a water supply.

On arrival of C-2 (Deputy Hebert) gave a size up of the scene. He reported he had a Fire in the basement of a 2 Story Wood Frame, Primary searches were ongoing and 1 Line was stretched and operating. The Deputy then requested a Working Fire sending Squad 5 (RIT) and Cataldo Medic 1 to the scene.

Companies during there primary search located the family pets and brought them outside to be evaluated by Cataldo. Command requested an additional Cataldo EMS Unit (Ambulance 2) for help with evals.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire in the basement and ventilated the home. NO injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation at this time.

Newton Apartment Fire Leaves 8 Homeless

At 1:56PM on a Cold & windy Monday Afternoon on February 4^th Newton Fire Alarm struck Box 1251 for a report of fire in the walls of the apartment building at 25 Charlesbank Road. While enroute Companies were updated that they were receiving several calls and a report that a mother & child may be trapped.

C-2 arrived shortly after and reported fire showing from the 2^nd Floor on arrival. The Deputy soon requested a Working Fire bringing an additional Engine company to the fire. 7 Minutes later interior companies reported the fire had extended into the attic and the Deputy requested a 2^nd Alarm. I responded to the scene on the 2^nd Alarm and while enroute the Deputy requested a 3^rd Alarm. Approx 50 Firefighters battled the flames in the very cold and windy conditions for about an hour before finally bringing it under control.

3 People were transported to the hospital including a Adult Male with burns, a mother & child w/ smoke inhalation. 1 Firefighter was also injured when he fell from the attic of the building. The Newton Fire Department received mutual aid from Watertown, Waltham, Wellesley, Needham, Weston & Brookline for station coverage. Boston Engine 51 responded to the fire.

The fire remains under investigation but investigators belive a plumber working in a 2^nd Floor bathroom using a tourch may have started the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting the residents displaced by the fire as the building is considered a total loss.

                                           Heavy Smoke Showing

                                     Stretching a Line off Engine 14

                                            Fire Thru The Roof

                                     Newton Fire New Engine 10

                                   Newton Firefighters Changing Bottles