STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department extinguished a two-alarm fire amid freezing temperatures on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday, Dec. 22, at approximately 1:35 p.m., the Stoneham Fire Department was called by 911 to 39 Tamarock Terrace by a resident who reported a fire in their home.

Companies arrived to find heavy fire showing from the garage of a two-story home. Residents had evacuated on their own. A second alarm was struck immediately, bringing mutual aid to the scene of the fire.

Companies stretched two hose lines into the home to attack the fire, which started in a garage and then spread into an attached home.

A Woburn firefighter was treated at the scene for overexertion, but there were no other reported injuries. The fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes.

Two residents were displaced, but are staying with family in the area.

Companies remained at the scene until about 4 p.m.

Firefighters from Woburn, Wakefield, Melrose, Reading, and Winchester provided mutual aid at the scene, and firefighters from Saugus, Medford and Malden covered Stoneham stations. The Stoneham Police Department, Stoneham Department of Public Works and Armstrong Ambulance also provided assistance at the scene. Representatives of Boston A10 also responded to the scene to rehabilitate firefighters.

“This was a tough fire and the freezing weather conditions made it even more challenging, but all the firefighters on scene worked hard and did a great job,” said Chief Grafton. “I’d also like to recognize our dispatchers for doing great work today.”

The cause remains under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Investigation Unit, but it appears to be accidental.

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department and Town of Stoneham officials have lifted a ban on all outdoor fires implemented earlier this month due to extreme fire conditions.

Cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity and precipitation have lessened the fire danger that led the National Weather Service to issue Red Flag fire danger warnings for Massachusetts throughout much of the past two weeks.

“The extreme risk of outdoor fires spreading and growing quickly has declined significantly,” State Fire Marshal Jon Davine said in an email to fire chiefs across the state on Monday.

While the ban on outdoor fires has been lifted in Stoneham, open burning remains illegal outside of open burning season, which runs from Jan. 15 to May 1. The outdoor burning ban covered outdoor burning that is not covered by the open burning statute, and included fires associated with fire pits, chimineas, outdoor fireplaces, and cooking and heating equipment.

Those types of fires are once again allowed, though all residents are still urged to use caution and common sense when dealing with open flames. Burning brush and yard waste remains illegal until Jan. 15 under the open burning statute.

“We are lifting our total ban on outdoor burning since fire conditions have improved significantly thanks to rainfall and changing weather conditions,” said Chief Grafton. “But despite this move, the Stoneham Fire Department still urges community members to always use caution and common sense when dealing with open flames.”

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department responded to a fire in a home on Franklin Street and a two-alarm fire in a home on Gould Street overnight.

On Thursday, Nov. 14 at approximately 10:10 p.m., the Stoneham Fire Department was called to 1170 Franklin St., by a resident who called 911 to report a fire in his home. The resident tried to smother the fire with towels before evacuating the home.

Companies arrived to find a fire that was mostly out thanks to the actions of the resident. Firefighters used extinguishers to ensure the fire was out and that no hot spots remained. The resident suffered an injury while trying to put out the fire, but was evaluated by EMS and declined to be transported to a local hospital.

Hours later, at approximately 5:17 a.m., the Stoneham Fire Department was called to 36 Gould St., by 911 calls from residents reporting a fire in their home. The residents reported hearing crackling upstairs and that they lost power in part of the home.

Companies arrived to find heavy smoke showing from the attic of a 2-1/2 story home. Firefighters from Engine 1 initially entered the home to battle the blaze but found heavy fire in the attic. A firefighter from Ladder 1 who went onto the home’s roof to ventilate had his leg go through the roof, so Capt. Dave Eastman ordered firefighters to take a defensive posture and get out of and off the building based on concerns about the home’s structural integrity.

Companies then used blitz guns and deck guns to knock down the bulk of the flames and reassessed the structure before once again taking an offensive posture and entering the home. Crews then opened up ceilings on the second floor to attack the fire from below, knocking down all the flames by about 6:15 a.m.

A firefighter suffered a leg injury while battling the blaze, but there were no other reported injuries.

On Gould Street, firefighters from Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, Woburn, Saugus and Winchester provided mutual aid, while firefighters from Medford and Malden covered Stoneham stations. Stoneham Police and Armstrong Ambulance also assisted on scene, and the Stoneham electrical and building inspectors responded as well.

Five residents were displaced by the fire on Gould Street, and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts was on scene to provide those residents assistance. The home appears to be a total loss.

The cause of both fires remain under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Investigation Unit and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fires were the second and third to occur within the 24-hour shift of the department’s Group 1. Firefighters also extinguished a two-alarm blaze on Marble Street on Thursday afternoon.

Chief Grafton credited all of Group 1 for their response. The group is led by Capt. Eastman and Lt. Rick Darragh.

“The group was exhausted but pushed through and responded to each fire efficiently and professionally,” said Chief Grafton. “This is the first time since the 1990s that we’ve had more than one multiple alarm fire in 24 hours.”

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton reports that the Stoneham Fire Department rescued a resident and assisted another while extinguishing a two-alarm fire in an apartment complex on Marble Street.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Stoneham Fire Department received multiple 911 calls reporting a fire and a resident trapped inside the building at 105 Marble St. A resident who called 911 reported he tried to leave his apartment, but found that the heat and smoke in the hallway were too intense.

Immediately on arrival, Ladder 1 rescued a resident from a third-floor apartment using the truck’s ladder. That resident was not injured. Simultaneously, another resident walked out of the building on their own power while suffering from burn injuries. That resident was taken to a local hospital by Armstrong Ambulance for treatment.

Engine 2 worked to establish a water supply from a fire hydrant while the crew of Engine 1 attacked the fire inside a third-floor apartment. After establishing a water supply, Engine 2 conducted a search of the building’s third floor to ensure there were no other residents inside, and Winchester firefighters assisted them with the search.

The fire was under control by approximately 2:30 p.m. Fire damage was contained to the unit where the fire started, but the entire third floor suffered smoke damage. The second floor and first floor sustained water damage.

Fourteen residents from 11 units were displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross of Massachusetts.

Stoneham firefighters were supported at the scene by mutual aid from Winchester, Wakefield, Melrose, Woburn and Reading. Firefighters from Saugus, Medford and Malden covered Stoneham stations. Armstrong Ambulance, the Stoneham Electrical Inspector, Building Inspector, and the Stoneham Board of Health also responded to the scene. Stoneham Police also assisted at the scene.

“Everything was executed precisely and efficiently, from rescuing a resident to the 911 dispatchers who took the calls,” said Chief Grafton. “The response to this fire was a great team effort by all involved.”

The cause remains under investigation by the Stoneham Fire Investigation Unit with assistance from the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

STONEHAM — Chief Matthew Grafton and the Stoneham Fire Department would like to share smoke alarm information during this year’s Fire Prevention Week which is being recognized Oct. 6-12.

 

Fire Prevention Week, organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), aims to teach everyone how to stay safe in case of a fire.

 

This year’s theme is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” which aims to educate the public about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. The three most important factors are to INSTALL, TEST, and REPLACE.

 

Stoneham Fire would like to share the following smoke alarm safety tips from the NFPA:

• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Smoke alarms have a shelf life of 10 years. Be sure to replace them after 10 years of use.
• Working smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.
• Familiarize yourself with the sights and sounds of a smoke alarm.
• When an alarm sounds, immediately exit the house or building and ensure each person inside the home is accounted for. Then call for help and await instructions from emergency personnel.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week, click here.

 

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