Deputy Chief Tom Purcell reports that the Wakefield Fire Department and mutual aid partners extinguished a two-alarm fire in a residence on Jackson Lane.
On Tuesday, Aug. 30 at approximately 11:15 a.m., the Wakefield Fire Department responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a fire at 22 Jackson Lane.
The first companies to arrive found heavy smoke showing from the eaves of a 2 1/2-story home, with fire showing in the rear.
Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the fire through the front door and rear deck. Once crews were able to vent heavy fire that was burning in the home’s attic, the blaze was brought under control in about an hour.
A firefighter was transported to a local hospital with heat exhaustion, but is expected to be okay. There were no other reported injuries and the home’s occupants were not home at the time.
The home is uninhabitable due to extensive damage to the entire first floor and attic, as well as water and smoke damage in the basement. A family of four was displaced.
The Wakefield Fire Department was supported at the scene by mutual aid from the Reading, Melrose, Stoneham, Lynnfield, Saugus, North Reading and Woburn Fire Departments, while Malden and Saugus covered Wakefield stations. Cataldo Ambulance helped setup a rehab area at the scene, and Rehab 5 responded to assist.
“This was a labor-intensive fire in hot and extremely humid conditions, which took a toll on firefighters who worked aggressively to pull ceilings and get to the seat of this fire,” said Deputy Chief Purcell. “I would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners for their support. Crews did a great job battling this blaze in challenging conditions.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Wakefield Fire Department and the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
