Unstable Structure at 1 Sherwood Rd.

2/24/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 1 Sherwood Road at 4:37 P.M. this afternoon for a resident questioning the structural integrity of his home.  The resident reported hearing creaking and cracking noises in the home.  A door jam started to pull away from the wall and the door would no longer shut.  The building inspector came to the scene and advised the homeowner not to occupy the structure.  Four people were displaced from the residence until the structure can be further evaluated.

We urge all residents and business owners to check their roofs for large accumulations of snow and take the appropriate action to clear them.  If you hear abnormal creaking and cracking noises in your home please evacuate the home and call the fire department.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Building Collapse at 113 Washington Street

2/24/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 113 Washington Street at 3:49 P.M. this afternoon for a reported building collapse.  Upon arrival crews found about 85% of the building's roof had collapsed, with the outside walls buckling.  No one was inside the building at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported.  Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson stated "We were fortunate that no one was in the building at the time of the collapse."  The building was used to store equipment for a local paving company.  The collapse is attributed to the large amount of snow built up on the structure.  National Grid, and the Auburn Water District were called to the scene to shut off the utilities to the building to prevent any further hazards.  The local building inspector was requested and he did respond.

We urge all residents and business owners to check their roofs for large accumulations of snow and take the appropriate action to clear them.

Pictures can be used by the media.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Worcester County Sheriff's Office Help Clear Fire Hydrants of Snow

2/19/15

Today the Worcester County Sheriff's Office Inmate Community Service Program assisted the AFRD staff and retired AFRD Lieutenant and current Selectman Ken Holstrom shovel fire hydrants.  This team effort focused on many different areas of town including Routes 12 & 20.  Fire Chief Stephen Coleman said "I really appreciate the assistance other organizations and departments have given us when it comes to shoveling out fire hydrants".

Over the past week the National Guard, Citizens Emergency Response Team, Department of Public Works, Auburn Water District, and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office have assisted the AFRD with shoveling out fire hydrants.  We would like to thank all of the organizations that have helped in this endeavor and all the residents that shovel fire hydrants every storm, it truly is appreciated.  

The AFRD depends on fire hydrants to provide the necessary water needed to extinguish a fire.  If the fire hydrant is buried under snow crews will have to shovel it out in order to extinguish the fire or search for another fire hydrant.  Having the fire hydrant shoveled out prior to an emergency will help prevent delays on extinguishing a fire.  

Once again a big thank you to the Worcester County Sheriff's Office inmates, staff and Selectman Holstrom for a great job today.  

Pictures for the Media.

   

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Namco Pool, Patio & Game Room Superstore Structural Integrity Compromised

2/17/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 2 Washington Street Namco Pool, Patio & Game Room Superstore at 6:51 P.M. for a reported sprinkler activation.  Upon arrival crews found a broken sprinkler pipe in the building.  The water was shutdown to the system, stopping the leak.  While crews were on scene it was noticed that the front of the building appeared to have a roof problem.  The building inspector was called to the scene to evaluate the situation.  The building inspector found the building's structural integrity to be compromised.

Namco representatives are working with the buildings inspector to rectify the situation and will remain closed until the building is deemed safe.

We urge all residents and business owners to check their roofs for large accumulations of snow and take the appropriate action to clear them.

Please visit the link below for safety tips on how to avoid a roof collapse and video from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ZDOsgRuus

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Masspike Fatal Accident

2/11/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department responded to the Massachusetts Turnpike eastbound near the 89 mile marker for a reported tow truck driver struck by a motor vehicle at 2.59 P.M.  The pedestrian 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

Building Collapse at 5 St. Mark Street

2/10/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 5 St. Mark Street at 5:57 A.M. this morning for a reported building collapse.  Upon arrival crews found about 90% of the building had collapsed.  No one was inside the building at the time of the collapse and no injuries were reported.  Fire Chief Stephen Coleman stated "We were fortunate that the building was not in operation and no one was trapped inside.  If people were trapped we would have needed the assistance of the technical rescue team."  The collapse is attributed to the large amount of snow built up on the structure.  National Grid, Eversource Gas, and the Auburn Water District were called to the scene to shut off the utilities to the building to prevent any further hazards.  The local building inspector was requested and he did respond.

We urge all residents and business owners to check their roofs for large accumulations of snow and take the appropriate action to clear them.  

Please visit the link below for safety tips on how to avoid a roof collapse and video from today's building collapse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ZDOsgRuus

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Mass Pike Rollover Snarles Traffic

Just before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evening the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded along with the Mass State Police to a reported motor vehicle rollover on the Mass Turnpike westbound around the 87 mile marker prior to the Charlton line.

One patient was transported to the hospital by Ambulance with non life threatening injuries. Engine 3 assisted with containment and cleanup of fluids on the highway. The accident is under investigation by the Mass State Police.

Vehicle Fire in Burger King Parking Lot

2/6/15

Just after 9:30 a.m. this morning the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to a vehicle fire in the entrance to the parking lot of the Burger King restaurant on Southbridge St. Engine 1 from the West St. station arrived to find a 14 passenger van fully engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly extinguished. Traffic on Southbridge St. was reduced to one lane for a period of time while crews extinguished the fire. Auburn Police assisted on scene with traffic management. There were no injuries reported.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

AFRD First Due to Oxford Fire

2/5/15

On Thursday evening at 7:15 p.m. the AFRD responded mutual aid to the Town of Oxford to 15 Thayer Pond Village, off of Rt. 20 near the Auburn line for a reported structure fire. Engine 1 out of the West St. station which is only a few miles away was first to arrive to find an apartment on the second floor involved in fire. The crew stretched a line to the second floor and quickly extinguished the fire. Companies from Oxford arrived several minutes later and assisted in a search and overhaul of the remainder of the 5 unit apartment building. Auburn Engine 3 from headquarters and Chief Coleman were also on scene.

The state fire marshals office was called to investigate. Several occupants were displaced for the night and the Red Cross was notified to assist the residents. Charlton, Dudley, and Leicester Fire Departments were also on scene to assist. All Auburn companies were clear of the scene shortly after 9:00 p.m.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Propane Leak at 809 Washington Street

2/4/15

Auburn Fire-Rescue Department at 8:46 A.M. on February 4, 2015 responded to 809 Washington Street for a reported propane leak outside of the building.  Washington Street was shutdown in both directions and the area was evacuated.  A party clearing snow around the outside underground  propane tanks with a backhoe, struck the propane feed lines for the a propane tank causing the leak.  The leak was stopped by the fire rescue department.   The gas inspector and Osterman's Gas Company responded. Washington Street has been reopened.

Contact

Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson

508-832-7800

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us