Warren B. Ryder, Chief of Police
520 Massachusetts Ave.
Boxborough, MA 01719
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Boxborough Police Respond to Camper Fire on Massachusetts Avenue Monday Afternoon
BOXBOROUGH — Police Chief Warren B. Ryder and members of the Boxborough Police and Fire Departments responded to Massachusetts Avenue near the I-495 interchange for a reported camper fire on Monday afternoon.
Upon arrival, officers noticed an older model camper was parked next to the far right guardrail, next to a utility pole, fully ablaze.
Officers talked to the driver, who said he was driving from New Hampshire to his home in Pawtucket, R.I. on I-495, when he got a flat tire. The driver decided to drive the camper to the next exit, when he noticed the tire was “smoking.” Then the cabin began to fill with smoke, and the camper quickly was engulfed in flames.
The fire consumed the vehicle and damaged the utility pole and communications lines attached to the pole.
The Boxborough Fire Department contained the blaze, but a large propane tank on board continued to burn for some time. The entire roadway was closed for approximately 1.5 hours.
There was extensive damage to the utility pole, and four utility companies had to respond to repair the damage to the pole and wires. A Verizon representative estimated the total damage to the pole and communications lines at $250,000.
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