Friday, November 27, 2015

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

Friday, November 13, 2015

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



Thursday, November 12, 2015

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

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

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

Monday, November 2, 2015

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

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

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

Friday, September 11, 2015

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

Saturday, June 6, 2015

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

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

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
  

Monday, May 18, 2015

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 3rd 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

                                                               

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

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



Saturday, May 9, 2015

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

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Fire Strikes Home at 187 Leicester Street

4/14/15

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to 187 Leicester Street at 12:58 P.M. for a reported house fire.  Engine 3 the first arriving engine company, reported a fire on the driveway side of the home.  

According to Auburn Fire Rescue's Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson the fire was reported by a postal worker delivering mail.  No one was home at the time of the fire.  The fire was contained to one room on the second floor and is under investigation by the Auburn Fire Rescue Department's fire investigation unit and the Auburn Police Department, although it is not suspicious.

The fire went to 2 alarms and mutual aid was received on scene from the Oxford Fire Department. Fire Departments from Leicester and Oxford covered Auburn stations. There were no injuries at the scene.  All companies were clear of the scene at 3:17 P.M.


Pictures for media use.




Photo Courtesy of the Auburn Police Department
Photo Courtesy of the Auburn Police Department

Contact
Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800
gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Friday, April 3, 2015

Roof Fire at RH White Construction

4/2/15

The Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to RH White Construction Company located at 41 Central Street at 10:04 P.M. for a reported fire on the roof.  Engine 3 the first arriving engine company, reported a fire on the roof in the rear of the building and in the rear garage.     

According to Auburn Fire Rescue's Assistant Chief Glenn Johnson the fire was reported by two people cleaning the building.  Cleaning staff saw the fire from a window and dialed 911.  The fire did not extend into any other parts of the building.  The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshals Office and the Auburn Police Department although it is not suspicious.

The fire went to 2 alarms and mutual aid was received on scene from the Oxford Fire Department. Fire Departments from Leicester and Oxford covered Auburn stations. There were no injuries at the scene.  All companies were clear of the scene at 12:22 A.M. on 4/3/15.


Pictures for media use.










Contact
Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800
gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Auburn Fire Chief advises, “get your burning done early”

3/18/15

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. The official start of the states burning season began on January 15th and will end on May 1st. Even with the record setting amount of snowfall that fell in February and March the state will not likely extend the burning season beyond May 1st. 

“The Department of Environmental Protection who oversees the states open air burning laws will not extend the burning season because of excessive snowfall. My advice to the residents who want to burn is don’t wait, get your burning done early.” Chief Coleman said. 

A burning permit may be obtained at Fire Rescue 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 May 1st. Burning permits are for residential use only and will not be issued to a business.

Any residents with questions regarding the open air burning season can visit the fire rescue 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

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Fire Strikes Home on Rydberg Terrace in Auburn

3/12/15

Just before 2:30 this afternoon the Auburn Fire Rescue Department responded to a reported building fire at 27 Rydberg Terrace. The fire was reported to be on the back deck of the house. First arriving Engine companies reported a large volume of fire in the home on arrival.

According to Auburn Fire Rescue Chief Stephen M. Coleman Jr. the owner of the property was home at the time of the fire and suffered minor burns. He was treated at the scene and refused transport to the hospital. The fire is under investigation by the Auburn Fire Investigation Unit including the Auburn Police Department although it is not suspicious.

The fire went to 3 alarms and mutual aid was received on scene from Oxford and Millbury Fire Departments. Leicester and Worcester covered Auburn stations. One firefighter was transported to  St. Vincent Hospital by Ambulance for minor injuries. All companies were clear of the scene at 7:30 p.m.

END

Photo Courtesy of Auburn Police


Photo Courtesy of AFRD


Photo Courtesy of Kevin Holstrom


                                                      Photo Courtesy of Kevin Holstrom


Contact
Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800
gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Gas Grill and Deck Fire at 16 Sunrise Ave.

3/11/15

The Auburn Fire-Rescue Department was called to 16 Sunrise Avenue at 6:32 P.M. for a reported gas grill and deck on fire.  Crews arrived on scene to find a gas grill fully engulfed in flames.  Fire did extend to the deck and was partially extinguished by the Auburn Police Department prior to the arrival of the AFRD.  The home sustained minor heat damage to the exterior siding and the AFRD extinguished the fire keeping it from extending inside the home.  No injuries were reported.    

Please remember to clean your gas grill regularly and keep it away from the house when cooking.  

Pictures for media use.





Contact
Asst. Chief Glenn Johnson
508-832-7800
gjohnson@town.auburn.ma.us

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

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