December 2024

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 421 emergency incidents during the month of December 2024 including 34 box alarms and 387 still alarms. It is significant to note that emergency responses for the year 2024, 4,725 incidents, have increased by approximately 400 over calendar year 2023 (an increase of 9%). The department responded to five requests for mutual aid during December, twice each to Lynnfield and Stoneham, and one response to Reading. The department received mutual aid eleven times during December, four times from Reading, twice from Stoneham and once each from Lynnfield, Melrose, North Reading, Saugus and Woburn. A crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Cliff Silva covered a vacant Reading fire station while firefighters from that community were tied up at an incident during the evening of December 2. Firefighters from Engine 2 under the command of Lieutenant Steven Bivens assisted the Stoneham Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 39 Tamarack Terrace during the afternoon of December 22.

Firefighters under the command of Captain Brain Purcell responded to a reported house fire at 318 Water Street at 8:44 A.M. on Sunday, December 8. Several calls were received via 911 reporting an explosion and fire at that location. Firefighters arrived at 8:47 A.M. to find heavy smoke and fire conditions coming from the third floor of the 6-unit apartment building. First arriving firefighters, along with several Wakefield Police Officers, quickly searched the building, removing all six building occupants. Lieutenant Arthur Fennelly, with the assistance of Firefighter Charles Curran, located and removed a 56-year old female from the burning apartment. She was treated at the scene and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital by Cataldo Ambulance in critical condition. Sadly, the woman died as a result of her injuries. A second adult male was transported to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital as a precaution with less severe injuries. Firefighters made several openings in the roof at the front left corner of the third floor, where the fire started. A second alarm, struck on the department’s arrival, brought in engine companies from Reading, Stoneham and Melrose to the scene along with a North Reading Ladder truck. Mutual aid companies assisted firefighters with pulling ceilings and checking for fire extension.

The entire apartment on the left side of the third-floor sustained heavy fire and water damage. The remainder of the structure suffered various degrees of smoke, heat and water damage. Five building occupants were displaced until repairs can be made to the building. Wakefield Emergency Manager Thomas Walsh and the American Red Cross were on scene to assist with finding temporary shelter. The State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted local police and fire investigators in determining a cause for the fire, which was found to be accidental and possibly due to smoking while using oxygen equipment. There were no injuries to firefighters during the fire. Wakefield Fire Headquarters was covered by a Saugus and Woburn engine as well as a Lynnfield tower ladder during this incident.

Chief Sullivan credited the first-arriving firefighters for evacuating the occupants quickly, thus preventing further injuries. This property was located remote from the street, accessed only by a steep and winding driveway. The age and construction of the building allowed the fire to quickly extend into concealed ceiling and wall spaces.

Department members participated in Emergency Medical Technician training classes as part of their annual continuing education requirements. The department participated in several seasonal events in the community during December, including Santa’s annual parade around town on December 14 sponsored by the Wakefield-Lynnfield Chamber of Commerce. Santa was also delivered to his holiday headquarters on December 14. The department also participated in the town’s annual Menorah lighting ceremony on December 29, where it assisted in the distribution of chocolate Gelt drops to participating children. All groups participated in training evolutions regarding ice/water rescues.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report