Tag Archives: Massachusetts

Hudson, MA – Sprinkler system helps contain fire from explosion

An explosion at a business in Hudson, Massachusetts, left one person hurt Monday afternoon, according to the town’s police department.

The Hudson Police Department confirmed that it responded to a commercial garage on Forest Avenue at around 11:30 a.m. When they arrived there was heavy smoke coming out of the building and fire inside. Fire officials said the sprinkler system helped contain the fire so crews were able to extinguish it.

One person was taken to the hospital. The severity of their injuries was not immediately clear.

The case is under investigation by the Fire District 14 investigation unit, the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Unit Investigation Team, as well as Hudson Fire and Hudson Police.

More details were not immediately available.

New Bedford, MA – Sprinkler system contains fire at mill complex; No injuries reported

Thursday morning at 9:55am, 911 calls were received reporting a possible explosion inside the mill complex located at 46 Harbor Street.

First arriving crews reported the sprinkler system was flowing and a smoke condition on the first floor. This is a three-story, Type 4 mill building measuring over 900’ long and 100’ wide. The fire originated in the office space of a machine shop on the first floor. The fire was contained by one sprinkler head.

Fire crews performed overhaul, conducted ventilation operations, and assisted in restoring the sprinkler system.
The cause of the fire was investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be a heat gun left too close to combustibles. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.

New Bedford EMS, City of New Bedford Police Department (Official), City of New Bedford Emergency Management assisted on scene.

Leominster, MA – Sprinkler system suppresses lithium-ion battery fire at manufacturing facility

The sprinkler system in a Leominster business controlled a lithium-ion battery fire yesterday, preventing what could have been serious damage in the early-morning hours, said Leominster Fire Chief Robert A. Sideleau II and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

The Leominster Fire Department responded to an alarm activation at a manufacturing business at 501 Lancaster St. shortly before 5:00 yesterday morning. On arrival, they observed smoke but no fire. Firefighters made entry, searched for any injured parties, and ensured that the fire was fully extinguished. On further examination, they found that an overhead sprinkler head had activated, suppressing the fire.

An investigation by the Leominster Fire Department, Leominster Police Department, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office determined that the fire was accidental started with lithium-ion batteries that had overheated on a workbench.

“If they’re abused, overheated, or overcharged, lithium-ion batteries can start a fire that explodes in smoke, flames, and toxic, flammable gases,” said Chief Sideleau. “These batteries power devices we use at home every day, from phones and laptops to power tools and outdoor equipment. It’s important to charge, use, and store these devices safely. Always use the manufacturer’s charging equipment. Charge the device on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow. Disconnect the device when it’s fully charged, and store it at room temperature, not in direct sunlight, a hot car, or freezing temperatures.”

“The sprinkler system at this site operated exactly as intended,” said State Fire Marshal Davine.  “It effectively extinguished a fire and prevented serious damage or injury. Tragically, none of the 31 Massachusetts residents who died in fires at home last year had that protection. If you’re buying or building a home, choose one with fire sprinklers. There is no faster or more efficient way to control a serious fire until firefighters arrive.”

Yesterday’s incident was the second lithium-ion battery fire to be extinguished by a sprinkler system in recent weeks. On January 4, the Woburn Fire Department responded to a commercial site for an alarm activation to find that the building’s sprinkler system had effectively suppressed a fire that started with a chemical reaction involving lithium-ion batteries.

Palmer, MA – Sprinkler system activated for trash fire at food distribution center; No injuries reported

The Palmer Fire Department was sent to Iberia Foods on Saturday for a trash fire.

According to the Palmer Fire Department, at 2:35 p.m., crews were sent to Iberia Foods on Wilbraham Street for a report of the water flow activation. When crews arrived, they found a pallet full of trash in flames directly below an activated sprinkler head.

The sprinkler system successfully kept the fire down and stopped it from spreading. Crews were able to put out the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Palmer Police and Palmer Fire Department. Three Rivers Fire, Bondsville Fire, Monson Fire, and the Palmer Police Department assisted in putting out the fire.

Iberia Foods Crop. is a leading food and beverage distributor in the U.S. Hispanic and Caribbean markets, according to their website.

Westboro, MA – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at police station; No injuries reported

A person was taken into custody after a fire was set in the lobby of the Westboro Police Station on Sunday night, officials said.

Crews responding to a report of a fire at the police station on Main Street around 8:20 p.m. found a smoldering fire being held in check by the building’s sprinkler systems and heavy smoke in the building, according to Westboro Fire Chief Patrick Purcell.

The police station was evacuated.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and ventilated the building.

No one was injured. Policing operations, including patrol, remain operational.

After a search, which included police K-9 units and police drones, a person of interest was located and taken into custody. That person’s name is not being released.

There was minimal fire damage to the building, but the sprinkler system caused significant water damage. Purcell estimated the damage at $250,000.

North Attleboro, MA – Sprinkler system contains fire at apartment building; No injuries reported

The North Attleboro Fire Department extinguished a structure fire in an apartment building on Friday night.

Chief Christopher Coleman said that firefighters responded to an apartment building at 12 Moody St. around 11 p.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed coming from a second floor apartment, in which a small fire was being contained by the building’s sprinkler system.

Coleman said the department was able to extinguish the fire with mutual aid from fire departments from Attleboro, Plainville, Foxboro, Mansfield, Cumberland, Rhode Island, Mansfield MEMA and Providence Canteen.

The department said it searched and evacuated all 22 apartments in the building.

The chief added that no injuries were reported, and two people were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the North Attleboro Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit.

Yarmouth, MA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

Firefighters rushed to the Yarmouth Commons Apartments sometime before 12:30 PM after reports of a kitchen fire on the 3rd floor. Mutual aid from Dennis also responded to the scene. A sprinkler system controlled the fire and limited damage to the kitchen. No injuries were reported. Further details were not immediately available.

In response to a reader inquiry, Cape Wide News reached out to Yarmouth Fire and received the following statement from Deputy Chief Jon Sawyer: “The building is not habitual at this time. There are 40 apartments and 39 were occupied. As of  7:30 PM (Saturday), the sprinkler and fire alarm systems had been restored, broken windows in the fire apartment had been boarded up and restoration crews were on scene working hard to remove water and dry things out. All three floors sustained water damage.

The towns Building and Electrical Inspectors were on scene and are ready to assist contractors as soon as they are ready.

Families were allowed back into the building to collect medications and belongings as soon as it was safe.

Red Cross did a fantastic job assisting families as well as the management of the complex.

Everyone involved knows families are displaced and are doing everything possible to get them back home as quickly as possible.”

The apartments were constructed on the site of the former Cavalier Motel.

Norwood, MA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at pallet warehouse

In the evening hours of Friday, June 10, the Norwood Fire Department responded to an alarm at 675 Canton St. The alarm was triggered after a fire sprinkler activation at a large commercial structure which houses a pallet warehouse.

Upon arrival, the first unit reported dense plumes of smoke billowing from the warehouse. Quickly recognizing the potential for a rapidly escalating fire, they promptly called a 2nd Alarm, bringing in additional firefighting resources from the surrounding towns.

Firefighters began the challenging task of locating the source of the fire amidst the smoke-filled, pallet-strewn warehouse. After a grueling 45 minutes into the incident, they succeeded in locating the fire’s origin, quickly getting water on it, and managing to suppress the flames effectively.

Despite the successful initial efforts, the situation called for further assistance, leading to the activation of a third alarm. This call brought in even more resources and manpower to help overhaul the aftermath of the fire.

To aid in the smoke clearance of the warehouse, large fans were brought in to help with ventilation. This effort made it safer for the fire department units to work in the interior and ensure no hidden fire pockets would flare-up later on.

Units from neighboring towns including Foxborough, Westwood, Sharon, and others all responded to the fire, contributing to the efficient management of what could have been a catastrophic disaster. Their coordinated efforts ensured the massive warehouse sustained minimal damage.

Nantucket, MA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at restaurant; No injuries reported

The Nantucket Fire Department responded to The Gaslight restaurant at 3 North Union Street at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday morning to combat a basement fire.

The initial report from dispatch was a general fire alarm  but once NFD members arrived on scene, they were able to smell smoke from the outside of the restaurant – prompting dispatch to call extra personnel to the station to respond.

“When our first engine showed up they saw heavy smoke coming from the basement and once they made entry into the basement, they determined there was a fire,” fire chief Michael Cranson said. “The sprinkler system had activated and held the fire from getting any worse. The crews were able to pretty quickly knock the fire down but we just had a ton of clean up, smoke, and carbon monoxide throughout the entire building.”

“Nobody got hurt. Nobody got killed. The sprinkler system did its job so that is a big boost for the push for sprinkler systems,” Cranson added. “That is a perfect example of how they save lives and they save properties.”

The NFD began to ventilate the building with fans and after the fire was extinguished, began to pump water out of the building.

“Our fire prevention officers were on scene doing the investigation. The Health Department, the wiring inspector was on scene. Everyone was doing their due diligence to make sure that everybody was safe and everything was being done according to code.”

Cranson said the cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time, but confirmed that there is a large amount of smoke and water damage.

“There is a ton of smoke and water damage in the basement,” Cranson said. “Then there is some smoke damage throughout the rest of the building but hopefully they can get that resolved and fixed rather quickly.”

Three engines, two fire cruisers, one ambulance, one police truck, and one police cruiser were on scene. Over a dozen NFD personnel responded.

Gaslight manager Devin Perras confirmed to the Current that The Gaslight will not be open today due to the fire.

Cranson said they will be “closed up for a while” but there is no timetable for when they will reopen.

The Gaslight later posted on their social media that they would be closed Sunday and for “the next few nights” while expressing their gratitude for the NFD.

“We are so grateful to the Nantucket Fire Department for their quick response to the basement fire (Sunday) morning,” they said. “They had it under control in no time. Sprinkler systems work and ours definitely saved our restaurant and venue from heavy damage or total loss. Back to feed you and rock out soon.”

Oak Bluffs, MA – Sprinkler system contains fire at restaurant

A fire that started early Sunday morning has damaged an Oak Bluffs restaurant that was planning to open this spring.

At 3:48 a.m., Oak Bluffs fire crews responded to 6 Circuit avenue after a report of smoke detectors going off, said deputy fire chief Stephen Foster. When firefighters arrived they found smoke coming from the basement of the building.

The location is the former space occupied by The Cardboard Box, where Mikado is planning to open its second Island restaurant and the building has been undergoing renovations.

A sprinkler in the building largely contained the fire, which, according to fire chief Nelson Wirtz, was caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials, Mr. Foster said.

Firefighters found a box with rags in the building and believe the fire started there before spreading to a wooden table.

Fire crews from Tisbury and Edgartown aided Oak Bluffs at the fire, Mr. Foster said. The building, which had about a foot and a half of water in it, was then ventilated. Residents who live above the restaurant were able to return to their apartments.

“We were lucky to have the fire mainly knocked down,” Mr. Foster said. “The sprinkler system did exactly what it was supposed to do.”

Firefighters were staying on Circuit avenue throughout Sunday to monitor the building.

Mikado got approvals from the town in January to open the Oak Bluffs restaurant. The unit was formerly home to the Cardboard Box.

Proprietor Xi Yu had previously said he planned to open the new location on April 1. A request for comment to the business was not immediately returned Sunday.