WAKEFIELD — Chief Michael Sullivan reports that the Wakefield Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon on Crystal Street.
At approximately 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, Wakefield firefighters, under the command of Captain John Walsh, responded to a reported house fire at a single-family home at 26 Crystal St.
Crews arrived on scene within minutes to find heavy flames coming from a rear basement door and the first-floor area immediately above it. Firefighters stretched multiple hose lines into the home, knocking down the main body of fire within approximately 20 minutes.
A second alarm was struck for additional personnel at 3:50 p.m., bringing engines from the Melrose, Reading and Stoneham Fire Departments as well as a North Reading ladder truck to the fire. A Woburn and Saugus engine, as well as a Malden ladder truck, provided station coverage during the fire.
The fire was brought under control approximately one hour after the first alarm.
The home suffered considerable fire damage in the rear of the basement and first floor areas and significant smoke and water damage to the remainder of the home.
The occupants of the home will be displaced due to the fire for an extended period until repairs can be made.
Troopers from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were contacted to assist in the investigation.
The fire was determined to have originated in the rear of the basement. The exact cause of the fire has not been determined, but is considered to be accidental.
There were no injuries to either the homeowner or responding firefighters as a result of the fire.
“I credit Captain Walsh and the on-duty firefighters for quickly extinguishing this fire,” Chief Sullivan said. “They took decisive action to knock down the flames quickly, likely saving the home from becoming a total loss.”
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