Newton & Watertown Firefighters battle House Fire on Town Line

At 12:30AM on Saturday October 26th Newton Fire Transmitted a box for a reported house fire on Boyd Street. Car 2, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 4, Ladder 1, Ladder 3 and Cataldo Medic responded. Soon after it was learned the address was 119 Boyd Street and was in Watertown the Fire Department was notified. Watertown Car 2, Engine 1, Engine 3, Ladder 1 and Rescue 2 responded.

Newton Engine 4 was first to arrive and reported fire showing from the rear porches of a 2.5 Story Wood Frame in the rear of another house. Due to wires and trees no ladder trucks could get close and hand ladders were thrown to the buildings upper floors. Engine 4 stretched several 2.5" attack lines and entered the building to try to stop the rapid spread of fire. Watertown Ladder 2 was added and Command transmitted a Working Fire.

At 1:02AM Command transmitted a 2nd Alarm after the fire had extended and taken full control of the attic. The rear porches collapsed and the Deputy gave the order to evacuate the building. Watertown Engine 2, Belmont Engine 1 and Waltham Ladder 2 responded on the 2nd Alarm.

Crews battled the fire from the exterior with several master streams until about 2:30AM when the fire was placed under control. No one was injured and the fire remains under investigation. 5 People were displaced by the fire and being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Early Morning Fire Damages Waltham Home

At 2:09AM on a Hot & Humid Thursday July 18th 2013 Waltham 911 Dispatch received a call for a Kitchen fire at 47 Banks Street. Box 255 was struck and Engine 2, Engine 4, Rescue 6 & Ladder Tower 1 along with C-2 were dispatched. Squad 5 was dispatched as RIT and Cataldo Medic 1 was also dispatched.

Ladder 1 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from the 1st Floor of a 2.5 Story Wood Frame. Engine 2 arrived shortly after and stretched a 4" feeder to the Hydrant and stretched an attack line into the 1st Floor. C-2 arrived on scene and declared a "Working Fire". The fire was quickly knocked down and contained to the 1st Floor Kitchen.

The 1 Occupant and the Cat both escaped safely. The fire is under investigation at this time.

Early Morning House Fire Kills 1 and Sends 15 to Hospital in Allston

On Sunday April 28th 2013 at 6:33AM Boston Fire Alarm struck Box 514 for a report of a building fire at 87 Linden Street in Allston. This street has been the scene of many serious fires over the years. As first due Engine 41 & Ladder 14 pulled out of there station Fire Alarm advised companies they were "receiving calls". On arrival Ladder 14 called off with heavy smoke showing from the 2nd Floor and reported people were jumping from the upper floors and requested a 2nd Alarm.

Companies began arriving from all directions and pulled lines off Engine 41, Engine 51 & Engine 29 to begin an aggressive interior attack. District 11 arrived on scene and reported he had a fire in a 2 Story 30x32 Wood Frame w/ fire on 2nd floor and attic. Rescue 1 began a primary search of the building to search for any victims as companies began to attack the fire on the interior.

The fire had gained head way on the companies and around 6:45AM all companies were ordered to stay out of the attic. At 6:57AM the dreaded transmission came over the scanner "MAYDAY MAYDAY". A Member had fallen through a hole on the 2nd Floor down to the 1st Floor. Deputy Chief Dunbar activated the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) and struck a 3rd Alarm. Firefighters quickly located the firefighter and brought him outside to Boston EMS. He was transported to a Boston Hospital with Non-Life Threatening Injuries.

Residents began advising Boston Police that some one was missing and possibly in the 2nd Floor or attic. Companies threw several ground ladders to the rear as the interior stairs had burned away. Rescue 1 began making another search of the building as companies began advancing lines. AT 7:12AM  Rescue 1 had a chilling transmission. As you heard a firefighter screaming in the background Rescue 1 said "RESCUE 1 MAYDAY MAYDAY WE HAVE A MAN THROUGH THE HOLE ON THE 2ND FLOOR MAN DOWN". A Member of Engine 29 fell through a hole on the 2nd Floor. Rescue 1 and other members of Engine 29 located the firefighter and brought him outside to Boston EMS.

With 2 Firefighters already injured falling through holes the Deputy gave up on interior operations and ordered all companies to evacuate the building. Companies went defensive and by 8AM they had the fire knocked down.

15 People were transported and treated by Boston EMS. 9 Were residents and 6 were Firefighters. Sadly a female victim was located deceased in the attic after the fire was knocked down. The fire remains under investigation at this time.

Fire Damages Trucks at Local Construction Company in Waltham

On Wednesday April 24th I had not photographed anything in a while and it had been quiet since the Marathon Bombings and Manhunt so I thought it would be another quiet night.

 Around 9PM I had just returned home from the Red Sox Game at Fenway. As I was relaxing sitting down to watch Chicago Fire at 10:10PM my scanner went off "Attention Engine 1, Engine 4, Ladder 2 and Rescue 6". I knew that response well it was a full assignment for a structure fire. Listening further it was Box 234 and it was being struck for 18 Fern Street J.J Obrien & Sons a Local construction contractor.

I went to my front window and from my 3rd floor apt I could see smoke in the distance meaning this was not a false alarm. The scanner went off again and Squad 5 as RIT and Medic 2 were dispatched. I began to grab all my gear as all the Moody Street companies raced past my house.

Engine 4 arrived on scene first finding 2 construction trucks on fire with one fully involved in the driveway only feet from a 2.5 Story Wood Frame Dwelling. C-2 requested a Feeder to be laid as the fire was threatening to spread to the house. Firefighers stretched 2 lines off Engine 4 quickly containing the fire to the 2 trucks.

The fire remains under investigation at this time.

Mid-Day Fire in Waltham Damages 3rd Floor Apartment

At 12:54PM on Tuesday March 12th Waltham Fire struck Box 13 for a reported fire on the 3rd Floor of a building at 11 Spruce Street in Waltham. Car 2 (C-2), Engine 1, Squad 5, Ladder 2 & Rescue 6 responded to the box.

Waltham Police arrived seconds later to find smoke coming from the building and residents escaping via the fire escape in the rear. C-2 was arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke showing from the 3rd Floor of a 3 Story Wood Frame Occupied Multiple Dwelling.

Ladder 2 threw the stick to the 3rd Floor of the building and Engine 1 ran a 1 3/4" line over the stick to the 3rd Floor. The deputy chief requested a Working Fire assignment sending Engine 2 as the RIT Team and Cataldo Medic 1 to the scene.

Firefighters located 2 people on the 2nd Floor and escorted them outside. When firefighters reached the room of origin they found a Mattress on fire and carried it to a nearby window and thew it out into the parking lot. Squad 5 ran a line and extinguished the Mattress Fire.

The fire scorched the wall behind the bed but did not extend into the walls. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but could be electrical in nature.

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

Rescues Made at Dorchester 3rd Alarm

At 4:15PM on Sunday January 13th just before the Patriots & Texans Kicked off Fire Alarm struck Box 1877 in District 7 for the address of 5 Everett Avenue. Engine 21 on arrival had smoke showing from the basement of a 3 Story Wood Frame 20x60 OMD.

Engine 21 stretched a line into the basement but the ballon frame construction had already let the fire advance. About 10 Minutes in as Engine 14 charged a line the district chief struck a 2nd Alarm as the fire was extending through the walls into the 1st Floor.

5 Minutes later Command requested an additional Engine & Ladder over the 2nd as the new RIT team. The district chief then requested a 3rd Alarm. Not too soon after Tower ladder 3 reported that while conducting the primary search they located 2 victims on the 3rd Floor. As more lines were stretched in firefighters brought a male down a ground ladder in the rear while a female victim was brought down the stairs to Boston EMS outside the building. They were both transported to the Hospital w/ unknown injuries.

The fire was brought under control by an aggressive interior attack in about 30 Minutes. 14 People were displaced by the fire that caused an estimated $500,000 in Damage.

Fire Breaks Out in Basement of Waltham Liquor Store

At 10:57AM on Saturday December 29th 2012 Waltham 911 dispatch center recieved a call for a basement fire at 178 High Street Green River Spirit & Wine. Box 177 was struck and C-2, Engine 1, Squad 5, Ladder 2 & Rescue 6 responded. Newton Engine 4 also responded on the line Box.

 On arrival C-2 reported a small fire in the basement near the electrical panel. The Deputy requested a Working Fire which brought Engine 3 as the RIT Team and AMR Medic 2 to the scene. The Deputy also requested a push on Nstar to kill power to the building. Engine 1 quickly stretched a line into the basement knocking down the fire. No one was injured and it is not known how much damage the building sustained.

Pedestrian Struck on Route 128 sent to Hospital w/ Life Threatening Injuries.

On Thursday Night December 20th 2012 at 8:42PM Waltham Engine 4 & AMR Ambulance 1 were dispatched to Route 20 @ Sibley Road in the rotary for a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. While enroute the location was changed to Route 128 NB under the Route 20 Overpass.

Mass State Police arrived on scene requesting EMS with a push. Squad 5, Deputy Chief and AMR Medic 2 were also dispacthed to the call. On arrival companies reported a pedestrian had been struck by a Tractor Trailer. MSP closed down the Right 2 lanes and AMR came down the ramp the wrong way for faster access to the scene. The victim was in serious condition. Dispatch asked if Medflight was needed and the deputy said the injuries were too severe to wait. AMR ALS & BLS Units transported the victim by ground to Mass General Hospital in Boston with serious life-threatening injuries.

The tractor trailer driver was experiancing chest pains as he was panicing over what just happened. Armstrong responded and transported him to Lahey Clinic in Burlington. The Mass State Police Photo/Recon & Truck Teams were requested to the scene. Lanes were closed going NB till about 11PM for investigation and accident reconstruction.

The Accident Remains Under Investigation by The Massachusetts State Police Accident Reconstruction Team.

                                    Still Shot From MassDOT Traffic Camera At Exit 26 in Waltham

Serious Accident in Waltham Sends Elderly Female To Boston Hospital

At 1:31PM on Wednesday Dec 19th Waltham Police, Waltham Fire Engine 2 & Ambulance 2 were dispatched to the reports of a car vs telephone pole accident at 135 Second Avenue. While enroute an off-duty police officer arrived on scene and reported to 911 that the victim was unconcious in the vehicle.

C-2, Rescue 6 & Medic 1 were added to the response. While enroute the deputy chief requested the vailability of Medflight. On arrival Engine 2 found a car that had struck a fire hydrant before slamming into a telephone pole. Firefighters and medics worked to back board and package the elderly 88-Year old Female victim.

She was transported by ground to Mass General Hospital in Boston with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The Accident is under investigation by the Waltham Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team.

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.

Hurricane Sandy Damage Waltham Update

As of 3:00PM Wednesday October 31st 2012 power restoration and clean up work continues after Hurricane Sandy in Waltham.

As of 3:00PM Wednesday 950 Customers in the city remain without power down from over 4,000 at the height of the storm with full restoration expected by Thursday Night.

The Following Roads are Still Blocked by Storm Damage:

27 Pine Vale Road Tree & Wires down Blocking Road

Rosewood Drive Tree Down in Roadway (Being Cleared as of 3:00PM 10/31)

Linden Street near Beaver Street Wires down in Roadway. Remains Closed

Chester Avenue remains Closed with Large Tree down, Pole Snapped and Wires down

Gilbert Road closed due to Tree & wires down in Roadway

Trapelo Road remains closed at Lincoln Town Line for storm damage

Brennan Street remains closed due to lines down (NSTAR On Scene Repairing)

                                    Storm Damage on Chester Avenue

Man Stuck By Bus In Waltham

At 2:06PM on Tuesday October 30th 2012 Waltham Police, Squad 5 & AMR Medic 1 responded to 625 Moody Street for the report of a MBTA Bus hitting a pedestrian.

While companies were enroute a call was received of the male party being unconscious and C-2 & AMR Ambulance 2 were added to the call. On arrival companies found a Male down next to an MBTA bus with the victim having a head injury. Firefighters & Medics collared and back boarded the victim. AMR Medic 1 transported the victim to Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

The accident is under investigation by the Waltham Police Department & MBTA Transit Police.

Hurricane Sandy Knocks out power to over 4,000 in Waltham and damages several buildings.

A major Hybrid Storm struck New England on Monday October 29th 2012. The storm battered the coastline and Southern Massachusetts Communities with near Hurricane Force (74 MPH +) Wind Gusts causing widespread power outages. The storm also produced Tropical Storm Force (39 MPH +) wind gusts throughout the rest of Southern New England causing scattered to widespread power outages. The coast line had moderate to major coastal flooding due to storm surge.

Waltham Emergency crews responded to 52 Wire/Tree down calls throughout the duration of the storm.

Around 6PM 25 Families were evacuated after the roof at 1105 Lexington Street blew off the Apartment building.

During the afternoon trees struck houses at 222 Worcester Lane, 74 Greenwood Lane and 510 Waverley Oaks Road.

There was reported damage to the roof at the Church at 730 Main Street.

Approx. 4,116 Customers were without power at the height of the storm.

 
                            Prospect Street under the Train Bridge Flooded

                   Waltham Firefighters Survey damage on Chester Avenue

                 NSTAR crew surveys damage on Chester Avenue

                          NSTAR crew working to restore power on South Street

                NSTAR crews expect to have all power back on by Thursday