For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Pepperell Fire Department Responds to Fatal Multi-Alarm Fire

PEPPERELL — Chief Brian Borneman reports that the Pepperell Fire Department responded to a fatal, multi-alarm fire this morning.

At 8:35 a.m., an off-duty Pepperell Fire lieutenant reported to Pepperell Dispatch that smoke and flames were showing from the front of 50 Main St. Pepperell Fire and Police responded and immediately requested a second alarm. Soon after, they escalated it to four alarms after observing heavy smoke and flames coming from the building.

Pepperell firefighters initiated an attack and, with the support of firefighters from 13 surrounding communities, worked to knock down the flames. An adult female died as a result of the fire.

The residents of the six unit apartment building were displaced by the fire.

Five people — one resident and four firefighters — were transported to area hospitals with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

“This was a very involved fire that required significant manpower to bring under control,” Chief Borneman said. “I’m grateful for the work of all our partner agencies who supported the response effort, as well as the State Fire Marshal’s Office and District Attorney’s Office for their leadership in investigating.”

Mutual aid was provided by agencies from Tyngsborough, Devens, Shirley, Ashby, Townsend, Groton, Ayer, Dunstable, Westford, Littleton and Lunenburg in Massachusetts, as well as Nashua, Brookline and Hollis in New Hampshire.

Following an initial investigation, the cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious.

The full circumstances of the fire remain under investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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