State HAZMAT Team Called to the Heritage Mall

5/19/15

At 6:06 p.m. the Auburn Fire Rescue Department was called to 567 Southbridge Street the Heritage Mall for the smell of natural gas.  Great Expressions Dental Centers reported the smell in their business.  Eversource Gas Company was called to the scene to assist the AFRD.  


Upon investigation by the AFRD and Eversource Gas, the odor was determined not to be natural gas.  Employees were complaining of headaches, being light headed, dizzy, and a scratchy throat.  The State HAZMAT Team was requested to further investigate the odor.  The investigation found a refrigerant leak coming from one of the air conditioning units within the business.  The unit was shutdown and the business was vented.  


The other businesses in the mall were checked by the AFRD and no problems were found.  Great Expressions Dental Centers will remain closed until the problem is repaired.  All other business will be open tomorrow.  No one was transported by ambulance to the hospital. 


Pictures for the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

  

Update of the 3 Alarm Fire on Rydberg Terrace Ext., Dog Found Alive

5/18/15

The AFRD reported that one pet was believed to have perished in the fire at 34 Rydberg Terrace Extension this morning.  Crews while on scene this morning extinguishing hot spots, found the dog alive near a bed.  Firefighter Scott Henderson found the dog and reunited her with her owner.  

Picture for media use.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

3 Alarm Fire Strikes Home on Rydberg Terrace Ext.

5/18/15

At 1:19 a.m. the Auburn Police Department began receiving 911 calls reporting a fire at 34 Rydberg Terrace Ext. The first arriving Engine reported a large volume of fire coming from the side and rear of the home and immediately struck a 3^rd alarm.

The family was home at the time of the fire and all escaped without serious injury, including an elderly woman who is in a wheel chair. A woman was transported from the scene of the fire to the hospital with a medical condition and the home owner was looked at on scene with minor burns to his arm. The elderly woman was taken from the scene and relocated with other family. It is believed that one of the three family pets perished in the fire.

Auburn Fire Rescue Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. said that the family was very lucky to escape without serious injury. “Fortunately the home owner got up because he heard some noises. When he looked out the window he saw the flames in the rear of the house. He ran outside and realized the fire was much too large to contain so he ran back in and yelled for everyone to get out of the home. They were able to get his elderly mother out of the home quickly before it was too late”.  Coleman said.

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department received mutual aid on scene from the Leicester, Millbury and Oxford Fire Departments. Charlton, Leicester and Millbury also provided station coverage during the incident.

The fire is under investigation by members of the Auburn Fire Investigation Unit. The cause is not yet known however it does not appear to be suspicious. The Red Cross will be notified to provide assistance to the family.

Rydberg Terrace was the scene of another house fire two months ago at number 27, just doors away from the fire this morning.

Pictures for media use.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

                                                               

Auburn Responds to Worcester for a Structure Fire

5/12/15

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded with the Worcester Fire Department to 557 SW Cutoff in Worcester at 1:14 A.M. for a reported structure fire.  The Auburn Police Department received a 911 call by a passing motorist, reporting a building fire at 557 SW Cutoff.  Worcester Fire is investigating the cause of the fire.  

     

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Busy Day on the Auburn Highways

5/9/15

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to multiple calls on Auburn's highways.  Motor vehicle accidents were reported on Interstate 395 South, Route 12, and the Massachusetts Turnpike.  A car fire was also reported on the Massachusetts Turnpike.  

According to Auburn Fire Rescue's Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson the multiple highway calls have created slow moving traffic through the area and back-ups on the major roadways.  The accident on Interstate 395 South was a fatal crash and the State Police are investigation.  There where minor injuries at the other motor vehicle accidents and no injuries at the car fire.  

Please drive safely and move over for emergency workers on the roadways.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident I-395 South

5/9/15

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded at 1:17 P.M. to Interstate 395 South, at the Auburn / Oxford line for a single car motor vehicle crash with ejection.  The only person involved in the accident was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.  Massachusetts State Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us