August 2020

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 409 emergency incidents during the month of August including 45 box alarms and 364 still alarms. The department responded to six requests for mutual aid during August, three times to Melrose, twice to Lynnfield and once to Saugus. The department received mutual aid seven times during the month of August, twice from Stoneham, twice from Reading and once each from Lynnfield, North Reading and Woburn. A crew from Engine 1 under Lieutenant Daniel Hancock covered a vacant Lynnfield fire station while that department was tied up with an emergency during the evening of August 4. Another crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant John Mercurio covered a Lynnfield fire station during the morning of August 5. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Christopher Crogan assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a structure fire at 30 Spencer Avenue during the evening of August 8. Firefighters from Engine 2 under the direction of Lieutenant Phil Preston assisted the Melrose Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 27 Penny Hill Road during the evening of August 21.

Wakefield was rocked by what appeared to be a microburst as a weather front moved through the area during the afternoon of August 23. The department was immediately inundated with emergency calls, responding to a variety of calls, including fallen trees and utility poles, downed and burning electrical lines and blocked roads. The department responded to approximately 53 storm-related calls within the first hour of the storm, the most serious being a 2-alarm structure fire on Elm Street. A total of 65 storm related responses were eventually made, many of them including multiple problems at the same location. Approximately 130 large trees fell across town, blocking streets and bringing down power lines. Several dozen homes were struck by large trees, causing significant damage to them and in several instances, displacing the occupants until repairs could be made. Many streets including Houston Street, Grafton Street and multiple sections of Main Street in Greenwood were completely blocked by fallen trees. The Wakefield Fire and Police Departments worked closely with members of the Department of Public Works and Municipal Light and Gas Department to safeguard the public as well as clear streets of fallen trees and downed wires. Clean-up and repair operations are still underway and will likely be for several weeks to come. I’m extremely proud of the efforts of the Wakefield Fire Department during this storm and grateful to have the cooperation and expertise of the other departments in Town already credited.

Firefighters aboard Ladder 1, under the command of Lieutenant Erik Cole responded to a report of wires burning in the street in the vicinity of 83-88 Elm Street just after 5 P.M. on August 23 during the height of the microburst moving through Wakefield. Upon their arrival, firefighters were alerted to the fact that a fire had ignited inside the basement of 88 Elm Street. Lieutenant Cole immediately struck a second as he was aware that all apparatus was committed and responding to many incidents around town. Engine 1 and 5 were able to break free and respond to the fire as well as several off-duty firefighters, Chief Sullivan and Deputy Chief Purcell. A second alarm brought a Reading engine and a North Reading ladder truck to the scene as well. The home was completely filled with dense smoke resulting in very poor visibility. The fire was quickly contained to the basement area of origin despite the fact that it was fought with approximately half the number of firefighters that would have been normally dispatched to the scene. The department responded to dozens of other storm related calls that were handled by Deputy Chief Purcell, Wakefield Engine 4, the department’s pick-up truck Car 6, a Stoneham engine, a Woburn engine and a Lynnfield ladder truck once the second alarm fire started. The home suffered damage to its electrical and gas systems as well as significant smoke and water damage. The fire was primarily confined to the basement area and areas immediately above it on the first and second floors. An investigation of the fire eventually determined the fire to be caused by an electrical surge passing into the residence through the basement water service. Wind and Lightning from the storm caused power lines to fail and fall into the street while still energized. The resulting electrical current burned a hole through the pavement and energized the underground area beneath the hole. Electricity then passed through the water pipe and into the basement of the residence. An electrical outlet blew out and started arcing setting fire to nearby combustibles and melting the gas meter. The homeowners will be displaced until proper repairs can be made to the residence. There were no injuries to any firefighters or civilians as a result of this fire. Cataldo Ambulance provided medical support to crews during the fire and Rehab Five supplied water and snacks.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Paul Pronco responded to a report of a ruptured underground natural gas main on Montrose Avenue near Whittier Road at approximately 9:30 A.M. on August 31. Firefighters arrived to find that construction crews working on the National Grid underground power line project had inadvertently struck the natural gas line resulting in a significant leak from the four-inch high pressure line. Firefighters immediately deployed several large caliber hose streams in a fog pattern in an effort to divert the leaking gas fumes away from nearby residences. Firefighters entered approximately six residences on Montrose Avenue, evacuating them and checking them for any accumulations of natural gas. No readings of natural gas were found inside any of the homes. The Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department (WMGLD) responded and immediately began operations to shut down the flow of natural gas through the punctured line. WMGLD crews were eventually able to stop the flow of natural gas about 45 minutes later. All evacuated homes were checked for natural gas accumulations again before their occupants were allowed to return to them. The scene was then left in the hands of WMGLD crews to make the necessary repairs to the gas line.

Quick and efficient communications between the Wakefield Fire and Police Departments as well as members of the WMGLD prevented a serious incident from becoming a potentially catastrophic one.

Wakefield Fire Department responses continued to increase significantly in August, almost 22% over the month of July. This noticeable increase is primarily due to the microburst that ripped through Wakefield during the afternoon of August 23. It appears that emergency responses have returned to close to normal levels as Massachusetts slowly goes through its re-opening process.

All department members continue to participate in on-line training programs related to their continuing education requirements for Emergency Medical Technician. All duty groups have resumed their in-service fire prevention inspections of local businesses. These inspections are necessary to keep citizens working in these businesses safe and help to keep emergency contacts for these businesses accurate. All four of the department’s fire engines passed their annual pumper performance tests on August 21. The Fire Prevention Bureau conducted a construction final fire protection inspection of the new apartment building located at 598 North Avenue on August 31.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report