Basement Explosion at 214 Pakachoag Street

10/5/17

At 5:53 P.M. the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to 214 Pakachoag Street for an explosion and smoke in the basement.  The call was reported to the dispatch center by a 14 year old girl who called 911 to report the emergency.    

Fire crews on arrival stated that there had been an explosion involving the oil burner.  The explosion caused a piece of metal to puncture the oil tank, destroy the chimney, and other appliances in the basement.  approximately 225 gallons of oil spilled into the basement.

The Auburn Police Department, building inspector, plumbing inspector, wiring inspector, Mass DEP, Red Cross,  and oil service company were requested to the scene to assist.  At this time the house is not tenable until the cleanup is concluded.  No injuries were reported.

Pictures for media use.

Contact:

Deputy Chief Glenn Johnson

Auburn Fire Rescue Department

Media Relations

gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

508-832-7800

ALS Motor Unit assists accident victim at Tarantino Ride

A motorcycle ride in honor of slain Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarantino brought out over 500 bikes that left the Leicester High School this morning at 11:00 a.m. While the ride was coming through Charlton on Oxford Rd. near Buffumville Dam at the Oxford town line there was an accident involving one of the motorcycles.

The AFRD's ALS Motor assigned to the CEMLEC Police Motor Unit was working the ride and being operated by Captain/Paramedic Justin Brigham. Captain Brigham was about 2 miles behind the accident when he was notified by CEMLEC Officers at the scene to respond. The ALS Motor is able to navigate through the hundreds of bikes and arrived on the accident scene in just under 2 minutes and began to evaluate and provide aid to the female passenger of the motorcycle who suffered a head injury. An Ambulance from the Charlton Fire Department was called to the scene to transport the patient to UMASS Medical Center with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

“This is why the ALS Motor was put into service, for these situations”, said AFRD Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. “These rides bring hundreds of bikes to main streets and back roads in many communities and accidents happen, whether it is someone from the public or one of the officers. Having the ability to bring trained medical professionals to the scene quickly on and with the right equipment is key to providing early interventions”, Coleman said.

The ALS Motor has been in service since September 1^st and this was its fourth mission with CEMLEC. There are several other missions scheduled through the month of October including the Klepto 5K on Sunday October 15^th in Auburn. That run benefits The Major David Brodeur Memorial Foundation. 

                                                                 Captain/Paramedic Justin Brigham operating the 

                                                                 departments ALS Motor Unit. The motor went 

                                                                 into service on September 1, 2017.