Chief Matthew Grafton
25 Central Street
Stoneham, MA 02180-2044
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net
Stoneham Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire
STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department extinguished a house fire this evening.
At 5:52 p.m., Stoneham Fire received a report of a house fire at one of the Stoneham Housing Authority’s duplex buildings at 16-18 Washington Ave.
Engine 3, Engine 4 and Ladder 1 responded to the scene and were met with heavy black smoke showing from unit 18, and fire showing from a first floor bedroom.
Three residents were outside upon firefighters’ arrival. One female resident suffered burns to her hand and was treated on scene. No other injuries were reported.
Crews made an aggressive attack, quickly bringing a hose line into the building to
attack the rapidly moving fire, which had begun to extend to the exterior side of the home.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the bedroom, preventing fire extension into the second floor and unit 16 of the duplex. The first floor of unit 18 sustained significant heat, smoke and water damage and was deemed uninhabitable. Red Cross arrived on scene to assist residents.
Because several members of the Stoneham Fire Department were meeting at the station at the time of the call, an additional six firefighters responded to the scene to assist.
“The extra help made a huge difference in firefighters’ ability to quickly and effectively put out this fire,” Chief Grafton said. “Crews were able to extend additional hose lines, immediately begin ventilating the building and search for pets. Had we not had 14 firefighters responding, this fire would have escalated to a second alarm. I would like to thank the firefighters for their additional assistance and all for their hard work”.
Firefighters cleared the scene at 8 p.m.
Chief Grafton would like remind residents that in the event of a fire, they should always immediately evacuate the building and call 911.
During the incident, the Wakefield and Reading Fire Departments provided station coverage. Stoneham Police and the Department of Public Works also responded to the scene to assist.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Stoneham Fire and Police Department.
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