Tag Archives: Massachusetts

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Chicopee, MA – Fire at automotive facility controlled by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Chicopee fire crews were called to a second-alarm fire at the Tsubaki Automotive facility on Lonczak Street Thursday afternoon.

According to the Chicopee Fire Department, calls came in shortly after 3:15 p.m. reporting a fire at 106 Lonczak Street.

When firefighters arrived, crews learned the fire had begun inside a piece of the company’s machinery. The building’s sprinkler system had already activated and was helping to control the flames as responders entered.

Firefighters were able to bring the situation under control quickly, and no injuries were reported. Thursday’s incident marks the second fire at the location in recent months.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Rockland, MA – Nursing home fire held in check by sprinkler system

All 102 residents of a nursing home and rehabilitation facility in Rockland, Massachusetts, will be evacuated after a Saturday afternoon fire.

Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey said the Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center at 56 Webster St. will need to be closed for some time because of smoke and water damage.

Duffey said the fire was reported at 4 p.m. The complete evacuation of the building took about 40 minutes.

The first firefighters to arrive found the flames were being held in check by the automatic sprinkler system. Still, heavy smoke affected the third floor of the structure.

More than 20 people who were on the third floor were carried downstairs as part of the evacuation.

In addition to the Rockland Fire Department, the Brockton and Hanover Fire Departments confirmed they are providing resources to help with the situation. The firefighter union in Whitman also said it was assisting.

A rehab unit from the Department of Fire Services was also sent to support the firefighters.

Duffey said teams of ambulances were called in to assist with the evacuation and relocation of the residents.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Franklin, MA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at college campus center

At 5:17pm Friday evening, the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center received a fire alarm activation for 135 Emmons Street, the Dean College Campus Center. Franklin Fire units arrived on scene within minutes and found a fire in a basement kitchen.

This incident was upgraded to a working fire assignment, bringing in mutual aid from Bellingham, Medway, Norfolk, Plainville, and Wrentham.

The fire suppression system and automatic sprinkler system were activated, keeping and holding the fire in check. Firefighters made entry and conducted an interior attack to complete the extinguishment of the fire. The fire was fully extinguished at 5:35pm.

Crews conducted a comprehensive investigation for fire extension, utilizing thermal imaging cameras to verify the fire had not spread beyond the kitchen. Firefighters secured the sprinkler system and utilities, ventilated smoke from the building, and assisted college officials with occupant accountability. Thanks to the coordinated actions of the sprinkler system, the fire alarm system, and the rapid and professional response of Franklin Firefighters, the fire was confined to the kitchen and no students or staff were injured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Franklin Fire Department. The building was able to be partially reoccupied for the evening.

According to Charles Allen, Fire Chief, the Foxboro Fire Department provided station coverage during the incident.

Apartment Building, Residential

Hanson, MA – Fire at apartment complex contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system helped put down a Hanson apartment fire.

Fire Chief Robert O’Brien says that at approximately 6:44 p.m. Wednesday crews responded to 1479 Main St. for a reported bedroom fire.

Upon arrival they found a heavy smoke condition inside one of the apartment units and the fire sprinkler system flowing.

After making entry firefighters were able to confirm that the sprinkler system had largely contained the fire and fire crews put it out completely.

No injuries were reported.

However, two apartments were impacted by water and smoke damage.

A preliminary investigation has determined that the fire was accidental and caused by a candle.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Framingham, MA – Fire on sixth floor of university residence hall contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire early on Wednesday, Nov. 12, inside a sixth floor dormitory at Framingham State University was contained by the activation of the residence hall’s sprinkler system before firefighters finished it off, according to a press release from the city.

Nobody was injured. One student was displaced.

“This incident highlights the importance of quick notification, a properly functioning sprinkler system and keeping the door to the fire room closed,” said Fire Chief Michael Dutcher, in a statement. “These combined factors played a crucial role in preventing further damage and ensuring everyone’s safety.”

According to the press release, firefighters responded just before 1 a.m. Wednesday to a box alarm system notification for 16 State St., Corrinne Towers at Framingham State.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met by Framingham State University Police, who reported a fire on the sixth floor of Corrinne Towers, a residence hall. Firefighters discovered the blaze was contained by the activation of the building’s sprinkler system, according to the release.

Firefighters completed extinguishment and worked to ventilate smoke from the building. They remained at the scene until about 3 a.m., according to the release.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although Dutcher said it appears to be accidental.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

North Attleborough, MA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at box factory; No injuries reported

A two-alarm fire at the Fuller Box Company Friday morning was quickly extinguished with no injuries. 

The fire was reported at 7:50 a.m. Friday, via 911 calls and a box alarm, according to the department. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and flames on the outer right side of the building. After gaining entry, they learned that the fire had spread to the attic. 

A second alarm was activated, bringing in firefighters from Attleboro, Foxboro, Mansfield, Norton and Plainville. Rehoboth, Seekonk and Wrentham fire departments provided station coverage.

Firefighters quickly put out the fire in the attic, preventing it from spreading to other areas, the statement read. By approximately 9 a.m., the fire was deemed under control. Crews remained on the scene conducting overhaul operations and checking for hot spots.

Employees of the Chestnut Street box and packing company evacuated safely before firefighters arrived. No injuries were reported.

NAFD Chief Christopher Coleman believes the building sustained significant damage, and the department is investigating the fire’s cause.  

“The quick and effective actions of the responding firefighters, along with the operational sprinkler systems, prevented this fire from worsening and causing further damage to the remaining portions of the building,” said Coleman.

Fire / Police Station, Government/Military

Westboro, MA – Sprinkler system extinguishes arson fire at police station; No injuries reported

A woman whom an officer transported to the Westboro Police Station to wait for a ride after a car accident set a fire in the lobby, police say.

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.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

West Springfield, MA – Sprinkler system activated for barn fire at expo

The West Springfield Fire Department said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of a barn fire at the Big E that resulted in 161 horses needing to be evacuated on Friday night.

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.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Amherst, MA – Sprinkler system activated for high-rise dorm fire at university; No injuries reported

On Sunday, Amherst fire crews were called to the Coolidge Dorm at UMass after a fire alarm activation.

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.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Plymouth, MA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior living facility

Chief Neil Foley reports that the Plymouth Fire Department responded to a fire at a senior living facility earlier today where a sprinkler system played a crucial role in preventing the fire from spreading.

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.