For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes Kitchen Fire at Multi-Family House

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy J. Grenno reports that the Whitman Fire Department extinguished a kitchen fire at a multi-family home Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 1:40 p.m., the Whitman Fire Department received a call reporting a fire at 81 School St.

Upon arrival, firefighters were directed to the first floor apartment where a heavy fire was quickly spreading through the kitchen.

Members of Group 4 aggressively worked to knock down the flames and were successful preventing the fire from spreading to the rest of the building. It took about 15 minutes for the flames to be fully extinguished.

No injuries were reported and four residents of the building will be temporarily displaced due to fire, smoke and water damage to the home.

Whitman Fire was assisted on scene by the Hanson and East Bridgewater fire departments, while the Abington Fire Department provided station coverage and responded to an unrelated medical call in Whitman.

The initial investigation indicates that the fire was caused by grease in a cooking pan. The resident attempted to put the fire out with flour, but was unsuccessful.

The damage done to the home was estimated at about $60,000.

Chief Grenno commended the work of firefighters for their quick response and knockdown of the fire.

“Thankfully our ambulance had just returned from a hospital transport with two of our six on-duty firefighters on board,” Chief Grenno said. “Had the fire started 10 minutes earlier we would have only been able to send four firefighters and there would have likely been significantly more damage to the house. This incident, along with two other significant fires in recent months, highlights the importance of a properly staffed fire department.”

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