Fire breaks out in large Victorian home in Newton

VIDEO: Crews battled a multi-alarm fire in a large Victorian-style home in Newton, Massachusetts. The fire broke out late Wednesday morning at the home at 8 Central Ave. in the city's Newtonville section. From Sky 5, large flames and heavy smoke were seen coming from the upper floors of the white home, and fire crews used hoses from multiple ladder trucks to extinguish the flames. The home is located less than a block from a Newton Fire Station. Newton police said Crafts Street at Watertown Street and Central Avenue at Prescott Street were closed to traffic. According to real estate listings, the 4,777-square foot, seven-bedroom Queen Ann Victorian home was built in 1884 and last sold in 2021 for $1.5 million. From Sky5, it appears renovations are underway at the home. There was no immediate word on injuries or what may have started the fire.
WCVB-TV ABC 5 Boston

Tyngsborough police and fire respond to two-alarm structure fire

Police Chief Richard Howe and Fire Chief Wes Russell report that the Tyngsborough Police and Fire Departments responded Tuesday to a two-alarm structure fire on Long Pond Road. On Tuesday, April 23, at approximately 12:18 p.m., the Tyngsborough Police and Fire Departments were alerted to a fire in a shed at 63 Long Pond Road. Companies arrived to find heavy fire showing from an approximately eight- by 12-foot shed, with flames spreading to a nearby home. A second alarm was struck to bring more manpower to the scene. All occupants of the home were outside when firefighters arrived. Companies were able to quickly knock down fire on the outside of the home, and then entered the first floor to extinguish fire that extended to the roof of the home. Residents were displaced, and they are receiving care from the Red Cross of Massachusetts.
Newport Dispatch

Hampden crews respond to brush fire

Crews in Hampden responded to a brush fire on Wednesday evening on Somers Road. Officials told us when they first arrived to the scene, there was a large plume of smoke. Western Mass News spoke with Hampden Fire Chief Edward Poulin, who told us mutual aid was immediately called in, saying, “About three acres of woods burned, lots of pine needles, its bedded dead. A lot of dead dry wood on the ground helped fuel the fire as well.” No injuries have been reported as a result of the fire. Poulin said the recent rain has helped prevent more brush fires so far this season.
Western Mass News

Plymouth Fire Department, mutual aid partners respond to 30-acre brush fire

On Tuesday, April 23, at 11:46 AM, Plymouth Fire Department responded to the area of Savery Road and Old Sandwich Road for reports of smoke in the area. Upon arrival, firefighter crews discovered several separate brush fires burning in the wooded area, covering approximately 30-acres. Firefighters battled heat as they had to extend hose lines a significant distance into the wooded area. Fourteen brush trucks and three tankers responded to the scene. Plymouth Firefighters were assisted on scene by mutual aid partners from Duxbury, Wareham, Carver and Onset Fire Departments. Additionally the Department of Fire Services Rehab Unit responded to assist. Crews were able to contain the fire. They remain on scene where they continue to wet down the area. There were no reported injuries and no structures were damaged by the fire.
CapeCod.com

Rochester firefighter to take center stage in comedy event

According to Rochester firefighter and paramedic Mark Lawrence, having a good sense of humor is “almost a prerequisite” in his field of work. On Friday, May 17, Lawrence’s sense of humor, which he described as “absurd,” could help him take home a $5,000 prize. Lawrence will compete against five other New England firefighters in a stand-up comedy competition put on by the International Association of Fire Fighters. All proceeds from the event will go towards Firefighters vs. Cancer, a nonprofit organization that provides free cancer screenings for firefighters. “It’s for a great cause — It’s proven that the very equipment we wear to protect us in fires is slowly killing us over time,” said Lawrence. According to former Boston Fire Department Lieutenant Mike Foley, about 40% of all firefighters working today will be diagnosed with cancer during their careers.
Sippican Week

Brockton has 10th highest demand for firefighters in national survey

Brockton has the tenth highest demand for firefighters out of hundreds of fire departments surveyed nationwide, according to a new study. Fire Cash Buyers, a Connecticut-based company that buys fire damaged houses in the U.S., published a new study that analyzed data from the Firehouse 2021 National Run Survey to determine which cities in the U.S. had the highest demand for firefighters. Using the number of 911 calls and comparing them to the total population, investors at Fire Cash Buyers found that St. Louis, Missouri had the highest demand for firefighters, followed by cities in Texas, Florida, Maryland and Iowa. Brockton ranked tenth highest and was the only city in Massachusetts to appear in the top 10. A total of 230 fire departments took part in the 2021 survey, representing 41 states, the District of Columbia, and three Canadian provinces, according to Firehouse.
The Enterprise - Metered Site

Firefighters reunite with mother, baby they helped deliver in New Bedford

VIDEO: New Bedford firefighters helped bring a healthy baby girl into the world earlier this month, and the mom, her baby, and those firefighters were reunited on Tuesday. According to the New Bedford fire chief, the department does two to three out-of-hospital deliveries a year. In this instance, Station 5 Engine 5 got a call for a woman in active labor at a home on Acushnet Avenue. The unit arrived on the scene quickly, which firefighters said was critical for the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby. “I look at them more like gifts from god because that’s what they were for me that night,” said Kelly Medeiros, mother of the newborn child. “They came in and they were just so quick and they kept so calm.” Kelly re-introduced her baby girl Laiana to New Bedford firefighters on Tuesday.
WLNE-TV ABC 6 New Bedford