STONEHAM — Fire Chief Matthew Grafton, Superintendent David Ljungberg and Department of Public Works Director Brett Gonsalves report that the Stoneham Fire Department responded Wednesday to about a dozen simultaneous fire alarms that went off around town as a result of an overpressurization of water lines.

The incident also caused a minor water main break on Spring Street. There was no other damage reported.

The incident began at approximately 11:20 a.m., when the Stoneham Police and Fire Dispatch Center began receiving approximately a dozen simultaneous automated fire alarms from Stoneham High School, Stoneham Central Middle School, the Robin Hood School, and several commercial and residential properties in town.

Initially unaware of what was happening, the Stoneham Fire Department, with mutual aid assistance from Reading, Wakefield and Melrose firefighters, responded to each of the alarms, prioritizing the schools first. There were no fires at any of the locations.

Approximately 25 minutes after the alarms sounded, it was determined that the automated alarms had been set off by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) overpressurizing water lines in Stoneham as part of an effort to flush those water lines. The overpressurization is also believed to have caused the minor water main break on Spring Street.

The Stoneham Fire Department, Stoneham Police Department, Stoneham Public Schools and the Stoneham DPW all worked together to respond to the incidents, with the large response being managed by the Stoneham Dispatch Center.

“This was initially an overwhelming incident for fire and dispatch, but both dispatchers and firefighters handled it terrifically,” said Chief Grafton. “Dispatchers kept close track of addresses as they came in, and worked closely with the Fire Department and mutual aid departments to communicate what was happening during the response. Fire Department officials communicated with school officials, Public Works, and the Facilities Department to determine the cause of this. Everyone involved did a really good job handling this situation, which was overwhelming at first. Fortunately, there were no actual fires or serious damage that occurred from this that we’re aware of.”

STONEHAM – Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department currently has several companies at the scene of a major crash on Interstate 93. 

On Friday, March 14, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Stoneham Fire Department was called to the northbound lanes of Interstate 93 for a report of a multi-vehicle crash involving a box truck that rolled over. 

Engine 1, Engine 4, Ladder 1, Car 2 and Armstrong Ambulance responded to the scene, where they discovered a four-crash and a box truck that rolled onto its side in the northbound lanes of the highway. 

At least one injured vehicle occupant has been transported from the scene. There is an approximately 50 gallon fuel spill at the scene which is being contained by the Stoneham Fire Department. The Department of Environmental Protection has been notified.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area of Interstate 93. 

Firefighters from Reading and Wakefield are covering Stoneham Fire stations. Firefighters from Medford Fire Department are assisting at the scene.

STONEHAM – Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department and mutual aid partners responded Thursday to a serious motor vehicle crash on Interstate 93 at Interstate 95.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, at approximately 9:45 a.m., the Stoneham Fire Department was called to Interstate 93 northbound at the interchange with Interstate 95 for a report of a multi-vehicle crash with at least one vehicle rolled over.

Firefighters from Stoneham and Woburn responded since the crash was on the town line, and located a four-vehicle crash involving a box truck that rolled over and three other vehicles.

A Medford Fire Department captain who was driving in the area pulled an unconscious driver out of a vehicle that had a fuel leak.

Stoneham firefighters, under the command of Capt. Rob Dalis, stretched a hose line to ensure there was no fire as a result of that fuel leak, and also used hydraulic tools to free another unconscious driver from a vehicle.

A total of four patients were transported from the scene with serious injuries. They were transported by Armstrong Ambulance, Woburn Fire Ambulance, and Cataldo Ambulance.

Stoneham Fire worked to contain the fuel spill from one of the vehicles, and notified the Department of Environmental Protection of the spill.

The crash is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police.

Firefighters from Reading and Wakefield covered Stoneham stations while companies responded to the crash. Companies were on scene for approximately three hours before the scene was cleaned up and cleared.