February 2021

The Wakefield Fire Department responded to 300 emergency incidents during the month of February including 29 box alarms and 271 still alarms. The department responded to six requests for mutual aid during February, twice to Melrose, and once each to Malden, Stoneham, Saugus and Woburn. The department received mutual aid eight times during the month of February, twice from Reading and once each from Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Saugus, Stoneham and Woburn.

A crew from Engine 2 under the command of Lieutenant Joseph Albert assisted the Saugus Fire department at the scene of a 2-alarm fire at 5 Beckett Street during the early morning of February 10. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Michael Long assisted the Stoneham Fire Department at a 2-alarm fire at 34 Country Club Road during the morning of February 10. A crew under Acting Lieutenant John Hurley covered a vacant Woburn Fire station during a multiple alarm fire in that community during the evening of February 16. A crew from Engine 2 led by Lieutenant Christopher Crogan covered a vacant Malden fire station during a 3-alarm at 5 Overlook Ridge Drive during the early morning of February 28.

Firefighters under the command of Captain John Walsh responded to a reported house fire at 26 Crystal Street at approximately 3:40 P.M. on February 23. Upon their arrival, firefighters found a fire in the rear of the basement extending into the first floor. Multiple hose lines were stretched into the home knocking down the fire in about 20 minutes. A second alarm was stuck for extra manpower at 3:50 P.M. bringing engines from Stoneham, Melrose and Reading to the scene along with a North Reading Ladder truck. An engine from Saugus and Woburn as well as a Malden ladder truck covered the town during the fire. The fire was extinguished within 60 minutes after the first alarm. The rear of the basement and first floor sustained heavy fire damage with significant smoke and heat damage extending throughout the home. The sole occupant of the home at the time of the fire was able to exit the residence without injury. The couple living in the home will be displaced for an extended time until the extensive repairs can be made. A trooper from the State Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to assist the local Fire investigation team. The cause of the fire remains undermined but accidental, most likely an electrical failure of a household appliance in the basement. No firefighters were injured during this fire.

The Wakefield Fire Department experienced a significant decrease in Covid-19 responses in February as the second surge of Covid-19 infections that started in November appears to be winding down. Citizens are reminded of the importance of calling 911 for injuries and illnesses that are not Covid-19 related.

All duty shifts conducted in service walk-throughs of the ongoing construction project at 27 Water Street during February. All groups practiced search and rescue drills and roof opening procedures at residences that were vacant and awaiting demolition at 102 New Salem Street and10 Otis Street. Several groups also conducted training evolutions inside the former Hurd School. Several groups continued to practice ice rescue procedures on Lake Quannapowitt. All of the department’s self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) was flow-tested and its compressed air tanks were hydrostatically tested during February. The air compressor that supplies breathing air to the department’s SCBA was also tested and passed inspection.

Incident Response Report

Fire Prevention Report