Police Chief James McIntyre and Acting Fire Chief Dave Eastman report that the Stoneham Police and Fire Departments responded Thursday to a house fire and report of gunshots on Main Street, and that a resident of the home that was burning was rescued by firefighters.
On Thursday, Feb. 23, at 10:04 a.m., Stoneham dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting a fire in a home at 590 Main St. Subsequent 911 calls also reported the sound of gunfire in the area.
A Stoneham Police sergeant arrived at the scene within moments and ran to the rear of the home since he knew the family that lives there usually uses the back door. Behind the home, the sergeant found an individual who had fired a firearm in an attempt to get through a locked door to rescue a trapped resident.
The sergeant secured that individual’s firearm and informed firefighters that a resident was trapped in a rear bedroom. The sergeant then attempted to enter the home to effect a rescue, but was pushed back by heavy smoke.
Informed that a resident was trapped, firefighters struck a second alarm while still en route to the scene.
The first firefighters arrived on scene at 10:07 a.m., and found heavy smoke showing from the rear of the home.
A quick response by firefighters meant that a ladder truck crew was able to go to work on rescuing the trapped resident using a ground ladder while an engine crew immediately attacked the fire.
An adult male resident was rescued and transported to a Boston hospital for treatment. His condition is unknown at this time.
Cluttered conditions inside the home made firefighting difficult, but crews were able to bring the blaze under control by about 11 a.m. The home is believed to be a total loss. A family of four was displaced.
The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Department and the the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
The individual who fired a gun while trying to access the home to effect a rescue was licensed to carry a firearm and is not facing charges at this time, though the incident remains under investigation.
“I would like to recognize the outstanding work of all the emergency personnel who played important roles in responding to today’s fire,” said Chief McIntyre. “From the dispatch personnel who simultaneously processed multiple 911 calls reporting the fire and dispatched crews to the scene, to the heroic actions of the fire and police department personnel who arrived on scene and rescued the victim, their teamwork and professionalism is something the Town of Stoneham should be proud of.”
Firefighters from the Wakefield, Reading, Melrose, Woburn and Medford fire departments provided mutual aid at the scene, as did the Department of Fire Services Rehab Unit and Cataldo Ambulance’s Rehab 1 truck.
Firefighters from Saugus and Malden covered Stoneham’s stations during the fire.