February 2016

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 347 emergency incidents during the month of February including 47 box alarms and 300 still alarms.

The department responded to seven requests for mutual aid during February, twice each to Melrose, Stoneham and Saugus, once to Reading. It received mutual aid nine times during February, three times from Reading and once each from Stoneham, Melrose, Lynnfield, North Reading, Saugus and Woburn. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Christopher Crogan assisted the Saugus Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire on Hawkes Street during the evening of February 14.

Wakefield firefighters under the command of Captain Paul Pronco responded to Wakefield’s first multiple alarm fire of the year during the morning of February 22 at the Lakeside Inn at 595 North Avenue. The department received several automatic notifications for an alarm activation at the hotel followed up by a call from the hotel management reporting a building fire. The fire started when a plumber accidentally ignited insulation inside a concealed wall space in a first floor guest room while soldering a pipe. The fire quickly extended to the second floor through a pipe chase, fed by the interior wood framing inside the walls. A second alarm was struck bringing help from Reading, Stoneham, Melrose and North Reading to the scene. Quick work by fire crews stopped the fire extension at the second floor ceiling area, preventing it from extending into a concealed attic space. Although the hotel is equipped with sprinklers, the fire was able to extend inside concealed wall and ceiling spaces that were not protected by the sprinkler system. Fire damage was contained to the two first floor and second floor rooms adjoining the wall that the pipe chase was contained in. The south wing on the hotel suffered significant smoke damage. The plumber who was involved in the fire’s ignition suffered second degree burns to both hands attempting to extinguish the fire. One firefighter suffered minor injuries as a result of the fire as well. While crews were battling this fire, another small fire occurred at 6 Layton Avenue when discarded smoking materials ignited a box of tissues and a phone book on a bookcase in the living room. This fire was contained to the immediate area but caused a considerable smoke condition in the residence. The value of mutual aid from neighboring departments was evident as this fire was primarily handled by firefighters from Lynnfield, Saugus and Woburn.

Firefighters under Captain Brian Purcell responded to a chimney fire at 4 Marion Circle during the afternoon of February 24. Firefighters found a light smoke condition in the basement and were able to locate and clear a blockage inside the chimney and contain the fire to that area of the home. The occupant was able to remain in the home and there were no injuries as a result of this fire.

Wakefield experienced a period of extremely cold weather from February 14-16. As a result, the department responded to at least 25 calls for burst pipes in both commercial and residential buildings. Citizens were reminded not to use any open flame devices to thaw out frozen pipes.

All four duty groups conducted quarterly fire inspections of schools, nursing homes, boarding houses and hotels during the month of February. A Girl Scout brownie troop visited fire headquarters on February 11.

Marblehead Firefighter Steven L. Bivens transferred over to the Wakefield Fire Department and was sworn in on February 16. Firefighter Bivens is a six year veteran of the Marblehead Fire Department, a graduate of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Recruit Training Program and is certified to the level of Firefighter I/II. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Captain Joseph Riley, who retired on January 8. The department welcomes Firefighter Bivens and wishes him a long and productive career with the Wakefield Fire Department.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report