Shed and Brush Fire at 415 Leicester Street

4/30/16


The Auburn Fire Rescue Department just before noon responded to 415 Leicester Street for a reported shed fire.  Engine 1 the first arriving engine company, reported a shed and brush fire close to a barn on the property.        

According to Auburn Fire Rescue's Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson the fire was reported by multiple 911 calls. The fire was extinguished with no damage to the nearby barn.  A permitted outdoor fire was determined to be the cause of the fire.  The homeowner stated his permitted bush fire got away from him catching the shed on fire.  The fire has been ruled accidental.  

There were no injuries at the scene.  All companies were clear of the scene around 1:15 P.M.  


Pictures for media use.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Deck Fire at 9 Jay Street

4/25/16


The Auburn Fire Rescue Department at 10:14 P.M. on Sunday 4/24/16 responded to 9 Jay Street for a reported patio fire.  Engine 3 the first arriving engine company, reported a deck fire in the rear of the structure.       

According to Auburn Fire Rescue's Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson the fire was reported by the resident at 9 Jay Street, who dialed 911.  The fire was quickly extinguished with minimal extension into the basement.  An outdoor fire pit on the deck was determined to be the cause of the fire.  The fire has been ruled accidental.  

There were no injuries at the scene.  All companies were clear of the scene at 11:45 P.M.  


Pictures for media use.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Building Fire at 163 Washington Street

4/8/16 


The Auburn Fire Rescue Department at 8:31 P.M. responded to 163 Washington Street, Lundgren Honda for a reported carbon monoxide alarm.  The first arriving engine company upon investigation, reported a fire in the utility room.      

According to Auburn Fire Rescue's Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson the carbon monoxide build up from the fire set off the monitored alarm system, which notified the fire department.  Crews extinguished the fire and vented the building.  The fire was contained to an oil burner in the utility room.    

Fire Departments from Oxford and Leicester covered Auburn's stations during the fire.  There were no injuries at the scene.  All companies were clear of the scene at 10:00 P.M.  Please remember if your carbon monoxide alarms sound, leave the building and call 911.  

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

House Fire at 3 Park Street

3/18/16


The Auburn Fire Rescue Department at 2:26 P.M. responded to 3 Park Street for a reported structure fire.  Engine 3 the first arriving engine company, reported a fire in the kitchen.     

According to Auburn Fire Rescue's Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson the fire was reported by one of the residents at 3 Park Street, who dialed 911.  Crews extinguished the fire within six minutes of it being reported.  The fire was contained to the kitchen and did not extend into any other parts of the residence.  Cooking was determined to be the cause of the fire.  The fire has been ruled accidental.  

Fire Departments from Oxford, Leicester, Millbury, and Sturbridge covered Auburn's stations during the fire.  Webster EMS provided an ambulance for station coverage as well.  There were no injuries at the scene.  All companies were clear of the scene at 3:33 P.M.  Please standby your pan when cooking.

Pictures for media use.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

House Fire at 275 Bryn Mawr Ave.

3/11/16

Auburn Fire Rescue Department at 1:17 A.M. responded to 275 Bryn Mawr Ave. for smoke in the residence.  The Auburn Police Department arrived to find a small fire in one room of the home.  All occupants were found out of the home.  

A police officer extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher prior to the AFRD's arrival.  Fire Department crews checked for extension and overhauled the area.  The fire is under investigation.  No injuries were reported to officials.      

Pictures for media use.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Officials keeping an eye on Open Air Burning Season in Auburn, may end early

     Auburn Fire Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. encourages residents that are interested in burning brush this season to obtain a permit now and do it early. With the very dry winter this year it is expected that conditions for brush fires will be very high. “We will be monitoring conditions in town and around the region with the assistance of the DCR. If brush fires are becoming prevalent and conditions are just too dangerous I will close the brush season in Auburn early” Coleman said. The official end of the burning season for the state is May 1^st. “We have already had a 3 acre brush fire this season due to a permit fire that got out of control. My advice to the residents is don’t wait; get your burning done now” Coleman said.  

     A burning permit may be obtained at Fire Headquarters, 47 Auburn Street from 8a.m. to 4p.m. seven days per week. Rules and regulations will be explained at the time the permit is issued. The fee for the permit is $10.00 and is valid until the end of the season. Burning permits are for residential use only and will not be issued to a business. Another option that is available to dispose of brush and debris is the Town's leaf pile which opens on April 1st. The cost is $20.00 for a season pass, seniors pay $15.00. "This may be the safer alternative this year" says Coleman.

    Any residents with questions regarding the open air burning season can visit the fire department website at www.auburnmassfire.org or contact the Auburn Fire Rescue Department at 508-832-7800.

Contact: Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr.

               508-832-7800
               scoleman@town.auburn.ma.us

Trailer Truck Rolls Over onto a Pickup Truck on the Mass Pike

3/9/16

Auburn Fire Rescue Department at 4:32 P.M. responded to a motor vehicle accident on the Mass Pike.  The accident was on the westbound on ramp from Interchange 10.  A tractor trailer truck rolled over on the ramp landing on a pickup truck.

The tractor trailer truck driver was trapped in the cab of his truck.  AFRD crews used extrication equipment to free the driver.  The driver was transported to UMass Medical Center University Campus by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.  The driver of the pickup truck freed himself prior to the AFRD's arrival and was not transported to the hospital.      

State Police are investigating the cause of the accident.  The Mass Pike westbound on ramp has one lane open.  AFRD crews are still on scene.

Below are pictures for the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Plumbers Torch Causes Fire on Manor Rd.

A plumber’s torch thawing a frozen pipe caused a small fire at 34 Manor Rd. this afternoon. The fire was reported at 1:45 p.m.

The AFRD arrived to find the fire had been extinguished by the home owner with a kitchen fire extinguisher. Fire crews searched for hidden fire in the walls and ventilated and metered the home before the occupants returned.

All fire companies were back in the station at 2:30 p.m.

For additional information contact:

Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr.

scoleman@town.auburn.ma.us

100 Gallon Gasoline Spill at BJ's Gas Station

2/4/16

Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded at 11:30 pm Thursday to 782 Washington Street, the BJ's Gas Station for a report of a 100 gallon gasoline fuel spill.

AFRD crews on scene found gasoline flowing out of the gas station onto Washington Street and Sibley Street.  The gasoline spill also flowed into two storm drains.  Fire crews contained the spill from flowing completely down Sibley Street.

The spill was caused by a gasoline tanker truck overfilling the gas stations's underground gasoline storage tanks.  The Auburn Water District, Mass DOT, and DEP were notified of the event.  An environmental cleanup company was called to the scene to clean up the HAZMAT.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Heritage Plaza Evacuated Due to Carbon Monoxide

1/9/16

Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded at 10:19 am to 567 Southbridge Street, the Heritage Plaza for a carbon monoxide detector sounding.  The carbon monoxide detector was sounding in the business Great Expressions Dental Centers.  Business employees and patrons then dialed 911 alerting the AFRD of the situation.

AFRD crews on scene found high levels of carbon monoxide over 100 parts per million.  The rest of the plaza stores were evacuated and checked for carbon monoxide.  Approximately 150 employees and patrons of the various businesses were evacuated during the incident.    

The cause of the carbon monoxide was due to a problem with the heating system in the dental office.  The system was shutdown and will remain shutdown until the the landlord has it repaired.  All of the displaced employees and patrons were allowed back into the businesses.

No one reported any injuries or signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Headache, fatigue, and nausea are some early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas, which may cause injury and death if not recognized or treated.

Please call the fire department if your carbon monoxide detectors sound, for your safety.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Tractor Trailer Truck,Box Truck, and Pickup Truck Collide on the Mass Pike

11/28/15

Auburn Fire Rescue Department and the Charlton Fire Department at 4:19 A.M. responded to a motor vehicle accident on the Mass Pike East about one mile West of Exit 10.  The motor vehicle accident involved a tractor trailer truck, box truck, and pickup truck.

Three drivers were transported to the hospital by ambulance.  Auburn transported one driver to Saint Vincent Hospital.  Charlton Fire and Sturbridge Fire both transported one driver to UMass Medical Center University Campus all with non-life threatening injuries.      

Approximately 125 gallons of diesel fuel was spilled.  The Department of Environmental Protection Agency and the Auburn Water District were notified and responded to the scene.  Mass D.O.T. assisted with hazard mitigation.

State Police are investigating the cause of the accident.  The Mass Pike East near the 89.1 mile marker only has one lane open.

AFRD is still on scene assisting with mitigation.  Below are pictures for the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Small Electrical Fire at Sears

11/27/15

At 12:02 a.m. the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to Sears at the Auburn Mall for a reported electrical fire.  The first arriving Engine reported a small electrical fire in one of the main electric panels in a storage room.  

Sears had been experiencing electrical issues prior to the reported fire and notified their electrician and National Grid.  National Grid was on scene prior to the AFRD working on diagnosing the problem.  The fire was extinguished quickly once the power was shut off.
  
Sears will remain closed until the problem is fixed.  No one was injured at the scene.  Any questions regarding when Sears will open should be directed to them.   

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Vehicle Crashes through Honey Farms on Southbridge St.

11/13/15

At 1:10 p.m. The Auburn Fire Rescue Department along with Auburn Police responded to a reported motor vehicle that had driven through the front of the Honey Farms Mini Mart at 714 Southbridge St. On arrival the elderly female driver was out of the car and was uninjured in the crash.

Fire Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. said that the damage to the building was not structural and there were no concerns about the stability of the building. “The majority of the damage was to the plate glass windows and to some of the sills. The Building Commissioner is on scene and has evaluated the structure.” Coleman said. Chief Coleman also stated that the Board of Health was on scene and will be closing the store until the cleanup is complete and they pass an inspection on Monday.

The accident is under investigation by the Auburn Police Department.

END

Auburn Fire Rescue Holds Their Annual Poster Contest Breakfast

11/12/15

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department held it's annual poster contest breakfast at the fire station this morning.  The breakfast recognized students in grades 1-5 who best depicted the fire prevention theme "HEAR THE BEEP WHERE YOU SLEEP: EVERY BEDROOM NEEDS A WORKING SMOKE ALARM" in an art poster.  

The goal of the poster contest is to educate students on various fire safety topics.  This years theme revolved around smoke detectors.  Smoke detectors are an early warning device for people, alerting them to a fire emergency.  In Massachusetts 20% of all home fire deaths occurred in homes without smoke detectors or without working smoke detectors.  Having working smoke detectors increases a persons chance of survival in a home fire.  

The poster contest gives students a chance to show firefighters what they have learned from the fire education classes provided by the Auburn Fire Rescue Department.  "This year we received hundreds of great posters from the Auburn Public Schools reflecting the given theme.  It was very hard to judge, but help from the public through our Facebook page made it easier" said Lt. Shawn Steele.    

Trevor Fuller was the overall winner and Sydney Mercadante was the overall runner up.  Both were awarded a bicycle.  Other grade winners were awarded a tee shirt.  They were Nathan Minor, Rebekah Ferreira, Sadie Szczepaniak, Liana Adina, Ella Ferguson, Kelsey Lee, Amelia Whitney, Annika Berg, Lia McDonalds, and Sean Derenas.
  
We would like to thank the Auburn Public Schools and their art teachers for their support in this collaborative effort.  

Pictures for media use.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Poster Contest Breakfast

11/11/15

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department will be hosting its annual poster contest breakfast.  The breakfast will start at 8:30 A.M, Thursday November 12, 2015 at the Auburn Fire Rescue Department located at 47 Auburn Street.  Media organizations are invited.  

Each year students from grades 1 through 5 submit posters reflecting the fire prevention theme of the year.  This year's theme was "HEAR THE BEEP WHERE YOU SLEEP: EVERY BEDROOM NEEDS A WORKING SMOKE ALARM."
     
All of the student posters were great and reflected the need for having working working smoke detectors.  The posters were judged by firefighters and the public through Facebook.    

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Motor Vehicle Fire and Accident at Vine Street & Richard Street

11/2/15

At 7:01 p.m. the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to the intersection of Vine Street and Richard Street for a motor vehicle accident with one vehicle on fire.  Upon arrival of the accident, AFRD crews found two vehicles on fire.  All of the vehicle occupants were out of the vehicle upon the fire departments arrival.   

One person out of the four people was transported to St. Vincent Hospital by ambulance with minor injuries.  No other injuries were reported.  

Pictures for the media

Photos courtesy of the Auburn Police Department

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Oil Truck Catches Fire on Rt. 20.

9/22/15

At 7:13 a.m. the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to Rt. 20 in front of Harvey Industries for a reported oil truck on fire.  Upon arrival a moderate size fire was found under the truck impinging on the oil tank.   

The driver of the vehicle escaped without injury.  Employees of Harvey Industries used a fire extinguisher to help contain the fire until the Auburn Fire Rescue Department arrived.  The AFRD extinguished the fire.  The fire doe not appear to be suspicious.  

The Auburn Police Department shut down one lane of traffic on Rt. 20 for about forty minutes for firefighters to extinguish the fire.  The truck was carrying an industrial lubricant and is owned by the Dennison Lubricants, INC. of Lakeville, Massachusetts.   

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Serious Motor Vehicle Accident with Entrapment at Rt. 20 and South Street

9/11/15

At 2:57 p.m. the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to Rt. 20 and South Street for a two car motor vehicle accident.   Upon arrival of the accident, AFRD crews found one person trapped in the collision and two others injured. 

The person trapped in the collision was extricated by the AFRD with the jaws of life.  Three people were transported to UMass Medical Center by two Auburn Fire Rescue ambulances and one Oxford Fire ambulance with serious injuries.  

The accident is under investigation by the Auburn Police Department.  

Pictures for the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Bomb Squad and State HAZMAT Team Called to 394 Rochdale Street

6/6/15

At 10:59 a.m. the Auburn Fire Rescue Department along with the Auburn Police Department was called to 394 Rochdale Street for a question of explosives at the home.  Explosives were found and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad responded to the scene.    

The state in which the explosives were found did not pose a threat to the community.  The Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad did detonate the explosives at the Police Department's shooting range on Rochdale Street. 

While searching the rest of the property, crews discovered a mix of hazardous chemicals.  The Massachusetts State HAZMAT Team responded to the scene.  The chemicals where identified and the home was made safe.  

This call was a great example of multiple agenencies working together.  The following agenicies where on scene.  Auburn Fire Rescue Department, Auburn Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, Massachusetts State HAZMAT Team, and the ATF.  Any questions related to the type of explosives should be directed to the Massachusetts State Police.  


Picture for the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

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