electrical fire

Video: Enfield Fire Rescue District 1 Responds to Underground Fire at Brooks Brothers Warehouse

⋅ Fire News ⋅ , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Enfield Fire Rescue
District 1
Chief Edward N. Richards
200 Phoenix Ave.
Enfield, CT 06082

For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 12, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Video: Enfield Fire Rescue District 1 Responds to Underground Fire at Brooks Brothers Warehouse

ENFIELD, Connecticut — Chief Edward N. Richards reports that Enfield Fire Rescue District 1 responded to an underground fire at a warehouse on Monday afternoon.

Firefighters responded at 1:57 p.m. to the Brooks Brothers warehouse, located at 107 Phoenix Ave. for a report of fire showing.

Firefighters arrived quickly, as the Enfield Fire Rescue District 1 headquarters is located less than a mile away from the Brooks Brothers location. Upon arrival, fire was showing from a high voltage underground switchgear vault under the front of the building, along the roadway. Utility crews responded to disconnect electrical service to the scene.

The warehouse was undamaged, but the building was evacuated as a precaution, and power was cut to the entire warehouse building.

The fire was declared under control at 3 p.m. and damage was limited to the utility vault.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by Enfield Fire Rescue District 1.

###

Gloucester Firefighters Battle House Fire on Blynman Avenue

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Gloucester Firefighters Battle House Fire on Blynman Avenue

The Gloucester Fire Department responded to a single-alarm fire on Blynman Avenue at approximately 3:45 a.m. Tuesday. (Courtesy Photo Gloucester Fire Department)

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department responded to a fire at a multi-family home on Blynman Avenue early Tuesday morning.

Gloucester firefighters responded to a report of a fire at 18 Blynman Ave. at approximately 3:45 a.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters saw fire coming from the right side of the first floor. All six adults and three dogs living in the two-story home had been alerted to the fire by smoke detectors and had evacuated the building prior to the fire department’s arrival.

Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading past the first floor, and put it out within 10 minutes of arrival. The majority of damage from the fire was contained to a bedroom on the first floor, where the fire originated. The second floor also sustained smoke damage.

“Thanks to the quick response of our firefighters, we were able to contain this fire and prevent it from spreading any further,” Chief Smith said. “Fortunately everyone in the home was immediately alerted to the fire by smoke detectors, and as a result no one was injured and we were able to respond swiftly.”

Fire officials estimate that the home sustained approximately $75,000 in damage.

The Gloucester Fire Department is investigating the fire, and an initial investigation indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.

All six residents and three dogs were displaced by the fire, and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

First responders cleared the scene at 6:30 a.m.

###

Gloucester Fire Department Responds to Washington Square Fire

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Gloucester Fire Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Friday, Jan. 25, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Gloucester Fire Department Responds to Washington Square Fire

GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department responded to a fire in a storage area beneath a porch on Washington Square yesterday.

At approximately 6:57 p.m. Thursday, firefighters responded to a fire at a multi-family building at 5 Washington Square. Upon arrival firefighters found fire in an enclosed area underneath a porch that’s used to store two freezers.

After smelling smoke, residents discovered the fire and turned off power to the area. They then extinguished much of the fire with a garden hose before firefighters arrived on scene. Firefighters were able to extinguish remaining flames, which had extended into the walls and ceiling of the storage area.

There was significant damage in the area where the fire originated, but residents of the were not displaced and no one was injured.

A preliminary investigation by the Gloucester Fire Department indicated that the most probable cause of the fire was electrical in nature.

“Thankfully the occupants in this building smelled smoke and discovered the fire quickly,” Chief Smith said. “Our firefighters were able to extinguish the remaining fire in the storage area. It’s important for residents to be cautious when they smell smoke, and to call us immediately.”

Firefighters had cleared the scene by 7:56 p.m. Thursday.

###

West Newbury Fatal Fire Electrical, No Evidence of Working Smoke Alarms

⋅ Client News, Fire News ⋅ , , , , , , , ⋅ 2 Comments

West Newbury Fire Department
Michael Dwyer, Fire Chief
Public Safety Building
401 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985

West Newbury Fire Department logoFor Immediate Release

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

West Newbury Fatal Fire Electrical, No Evidence of Working Smoke Alarms

State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey and West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer announced the cause of the March 8, 2016 fatal fire at 33 Meetinghouse Hill Road in West Newbury was electrical. The fire took the life of an elderly man, believed to be the homeowner. Positive identification will be made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and released by the Office of Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett. Three firefighters were injured and transported to a local hospital.

The fire originated in the basement of the single family home. The neutral wire for the electrical service had become disconnected and is the most probable cause of the fire. Damages are estimated at $500,000. A disconnected electrical service wire should be reported immediately to the local utility.

Electrical Fires

In 2014, electrical fires were the leading cause of fire deaths in Massachusetts. Eight fatal fires took the lives of 15 people. Fire officials recommend having a licensed electrician review your home’s electrical system every ten years. Small upgrades and simple safety checks can prevent larger problems. For a detailed guide to protecting your home from electrical fires, go to the Department of Fire Services website (www.mass.gov/dfs) and search for Electrical Safety.

No Evidence of Working Smoke Alarms

“Sadly, there was no evidence of working smoking alarms in the home,” said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey, “There have been 19 fire deaths so far in 2016 and in a significant majority of these tragedies, there have been no working smoke alarms.”

Chief Dwyer said, “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family. As we change our clocks this weekend, I would ask people to make sure they have working smoke alarms in their own homes and their parents’ homes and that they are less than ten years old.” Smoke alarms need to be replaced after ten years. He added, “West Newbury seniors who need help maintaining their smoke alarms can contact the fire department at (978) 363-1120.”

The fire was jointly investigated by the West Newbury Fire Department and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and to the Office of the Essex District Attorney. Assistance was received from the Code Compliance Unit in the Department of Fire Services.

###

1 2