Investigators said surveillance video shows Theresa Abichaker, of West Roxbury, setting a clothing donation box on fire and then taking off.
No one was hurt and the sprinkler system extinguished the fire. The Westboro Fire Department responded to the scene and confirmed the fire was out.
Police searched the area, using drones and K9s to find the suspect. She is facing four charges and was ordered to have a mental health evaluation.
At around 11:45 p.m., firefighters responded to the C Barn after receiving calls about the fire, according to the department. They said that the sprinkler system worked successfully and contained the flames.
“Upon arrival, it was confirmed that the reported C Barn on the grounds had a working fire that required the immediate evacuation of the animals housed in the barn,” the department said.
The department added that “a total of 161 horses are safe and recovered with minor injuries” after escaping the fire at the festival.
Shortly after 11 p.m., smoke was seen on the 20th floor, where the building’s sprinkler system had activated.
Firefighters found moderate smoke and discovered a fire in a dorm room that had been extinguished by the sprinkler system. The fire, which started due to an unattended candle left on a desk, caused damage to the desk and surrounding items. While the flames were contained, the sprinkler system caused flooding on the 20th floor and several floors below.
The entire dormitory was evacuated for approximately three hours. Residents on floors one through 18 were allowed back inside by 2 a.m., while those on floors 19 to 22 had to wait until the sprinkler system was restored. By 4 a.m., all but the occupants of the affected room were permitted to return. No injuries were reported in the incident.
On Tuesday, April 2, at 9:51 a.m., Plymouth Fire received an alarm and several phone calls reporting a fire at a housing complex located at 128 Court St., the Cherry Hill Apartments.
Residents, alerted by the building’s alarm system, were actively evacuating the building as firefighters arrived on scene.
Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from a unit on the fourth floor. Firefighters determined that a single activated sprinkler head had kept the fire from spreading until firefighters arrived to extinguish the fire.
A preliminary investigation determined that the fire originated in a closet where the unit’s washer and dryer machines are located. The fire was contained to a single apartment on the fourth floor.
Two residents were transported by ambulance to an area hospital as a precaution.
As a result of the fire, two residents are displaced at this time.
“The sprinklers at this location played a crucial role in preventing the fire from causing more severe damage, which demonstrates the importance of having fire suppression systems in commercial properties,” said Chief Foley. “If this building did not have a properly designed and maintained sprinkler system, it is likely that this incident could have resulted in significant injuries, widespread costly damage and more residents displaced.”
The fire remains under investigation by the Plymouth Fire Department.
The Hudson Police Department confirmed that it responded to a commercial garage on Forest Avenue at around 11:30 a.m. When they arrived there was heavy smoke coming out of the building and fire inside. Fire officials said the sprinkler system helped contain the fire so crews were able to extinguish it.
One person was taken to the hospital. The severity of their injuries was not immediately clear.
The case is under investigation by the Fire District 14 investigation unit, the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Unit Investigation Team, as well as Hudson Fire and Hudson Police.
More details were not immediately available.
First arriving crews reported the sprinkler system was flowing and a smoke condition on the first floor. This is a three-story, Type 4 mill building measuring over 900’ long and 100’ wide. The fire originated in the office space of a machine shop on the first floor. The fire was contained by one sprinkler head.
Fire crews performed overhaul, conducted ventilation operations, and assisted in restoring the sprinkler system.
The cause of the fire was investigated by the NBFD Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be a heat gun left too close to combustibles. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries.
New Bedford EMS, City of New Bedford Police Department (Official), City of New Bedford Emergency Management assisted on scene.
The Leominster Fire Department responded to an alarm activation at a manufacturing business at 501 Lancaster St. shortly before 5:00 yesterday morning. On arrival, they observed smoke but no fire. Firefighters made entry, searched for any injured parties, and ensured that the fire was fully extinguished. On further examination, they found that an overhead sprinkler head had activated, suppressing the fire.
An investigation by the Leominster Fire Department, Leominster Police Department, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office determined that the fire was accidental started with lithium-ion batteries that had overheated on a workbench.
“If they’re abused, overheated, or overcharged, lithium-ion batteries can start a fire that explodes in smoke, flames, and toxic, flammable gases,” said Chief Sideleau. “These batteries power devices we use at home every day, from phones and laptops to power tools and outdoor equipment. It’s important to charge, use, and store these devices safely. Always use the manufacturer’s charging equipment. Charge the device on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow. Disconnect the device when it’s fully charged, and store it at room temperature, not in direct sunlight, a hot car, or freezing temperatures.”
“The sprinkler system at this site operated exactly as intended,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “It effectively extinguished a fire and prevented serious damage or injury. Tragically, none of the 31 Massachusetts residents who died in fires at home last year had that protection. If you’re buying or building a home, choose one with fire sprinklers. There is no faster or more efficient way to control a serious fire until firefighters arrive.”
Yesterday’s incident was the second lithium-ion battery fire to be extinguished by a sprinkler system in recent weeks. On January 4, the Woburn Fire Department responded to a commercial site for an alarm activation to find that the building’s sprinkler system had effectively suppressed a fire that started with a chemical reaction involving lithium-ion batteries.
The Palmer Fire Department was sent to Iberia Foods on Saturday for a trash fire.
According to the Palmer Fire Department, at 2:35 p.m., crews were sent to Iberia Foods on Wilbraham Street for a report of the water flow activation. When crews arrived, they found a pallet full of trash in flames directly below an activated sprinkler head.
The sprinkler system successfully kept the fire down and stopped it from spreading. Crews were able to put out the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Palmer Police and Palmer Fire Department. Three Rivers Fire, Bondsville Fire, Monson Fire, and the Palmer Police Department assisted in putting out the fire.
Iberia Foods Crop. is a leading food and beverage distributor in the U.S. Hispanic and Caribbean markets, according to their website.
Crews responding to a report of a fire at the police station on Main Street around 8:20 p.m. found a smoldering fire being held in check by the building’s sprinkler systems and heavy smoke in the building, according to Westboro Fire Chief Patrick Purcell.
The police station was evacuated.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and ventilated the building.
No one was injured. Policing operations, including patrol, remain operational.
After a search, which included police K-9 units and police drones, a person of interest was located and taken into custody. That person’s name is not being released.
There was minimal fire damage to the building, but the sprinkler system caused significant water damage. Purcell estimated the damage at $250,000.
Chief Christopher Coleman said that firefighters responded to an apartment building at 12 Moody St. around 11 p.m.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed coming from a second floor apartment, in which a small fire was being contained by the building’s sprinkler system.
Coleman said the department was able to extinguish the fire with mutual aid from fire departments from Attleboro, Plainville, Foxboro, Mansfield, Cumberland, Rhode Island, Mansfield MEMA and Providence Canteen.
The department said it searched and evacuated all 22 apartments in the building.
The chief added that no injuries were reported, and two people were displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the North Attleboro Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit.
