February 2020

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 285 emergency incidents during the month of February including 57 box alarms and 228 still alarms. The department responded to five requests for mutual aid during February, twice to Lynnfield and once each to Reading, Stoneham and Woburn. It did not receive any mutual aid in February. A crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Cliff Silva assisted the Lynnfield Fire department and members of the Northeast Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team extricate an injured patient from the wooded area behind the Lynnfield Commons complex at 375 Broadway during the afternoon of February 8. Lieutenant Daniel Hancock responded with a crew from Engine 1 to cover a vacant Woburn fire station during a 2-alarm fire in that city during the morning of February 18. Another crew from Engine 1 led by Lieutenant Christopher Crogan assisted the Lynnfield Fire Department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire inside a car dealership at 385 Broadway during the early morning of February 20. Firefighters from Engine 1 under the command of Lieutenant Cliff Silva responded to a 4-alarm fire at 1 High Street in Reading during the early morning of February 24. The fire occurred in a 12-unit apartment building, trapping two occupants in the unit where the fire started. Lieutenant Silva’s crew assisted Reading Firefighters removed these victims from the building and assisted in performing CPR on both of them. Sadly, one of the fire victims died from their injuries and the other remains in critical condition. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Sean Curran covered Stoneham Fire Headquarters during a fire in that community during the evening of February 25.

Firefighters led by Captain Paul Pronco responded to 316 Main Street during the afternoon of February 9 after occupants reported a strong burning odor in the building. Investigation sound revealed that a large coffee pot in the basement had accidentally been turned on causing the odor. Nothing was damaged except the coffee pot and the occupants were soon allowed to re-enter the building.

Firefighters under the direction of Captain Brian Purcell responded to a fire alarm activation at the Dockside restaurant at 1099 Main Street during the evening of February 27. Upon their arrival, they encountered a smoke condition in the bar area located at the rear of the restaurant. A quick investigation soon revealed that a cooler located under the bar had malfunctioned, creating the smoke condition. The cooler was disconnected and removed from the building and smoke was vented from the bar area. The fire was contained to the cooler and some paneling immediately adjacent to it. No one was injured and the restaurant was able to remain open.

Wakefield Firefighters under the command of Captain Brian Purcell responded to a residence at 14 Jackson Lane after residents reported a smoke condition in the building during the morning of February 29. The source of the smoke was quickly determined to be from a trash barrel that had caught on fire in a basement bedroom. The homeowner had removed the barrel outdoors just before the arrival of the department. There was no fire extension beyond the trash barrel and the smoke was vented from the residence. The cause of the fire was determined to be the careless disposal of smoking materials inside the waste basket. There were no injuries as a result of the fire and the residents were able to remain in the home.

All groups received refresher training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as well the proper use of the department’s semi-automatic defibrillators during the month of February. Several groups conducted search and rescue drills at the former Hurd School during February as well.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report