Beverly Fire Department

Combat Challenge, Take 2

Firefighters from Beverly and Danvers made the trip to Elkton Maryland to take part in another Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge. Beverly Fire Lieutenant Russell Halloran made the trip with Danvers Firefighters Craig Vesey and David Mondi on September 20.

The second time around proved to be quite an improvement for Halloran who bettered his time by nearly 30 seconds. In Haverhill, Halloran ran the course in 3 minutes and 3 seconds including a penalty of 10 seconds. In Maryland, he ran through the course in 2 minutes and 34 seconds.

“It really is an addicting experience,” said Halloran. “It definitely is the toughest two minutes in sports” he continued. Halloran has been training since the Haverhill competition with different techniques that he credits with enabling him to better his time on the course.

Although there is another race in St. Louis Missouri approaching, Russell will continue to train for next year’s events a little closer to home.

Russell and other Beverly Firefighters took part in the August Challenge in Haverhill. It was the first time that Beverly Firefighters had competed in the event. All of the Beverly firefighters that took part in the August event are planning to take part in future events closer to home.

Close Call on Stewart Ave

The Beverly Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a building fire at 2 Stewart Ave at 0403 on Wednesday September 24. Upon arrival, Deputy Chief Paul Cotter found smoke and fire coming from under a porch on the side of the 3 story multifamily building. The homeowner was in the process of keeping the fire at bay with a small garden hose. Crews from Engine 4 and Ladder 1 pulled the coverings from the sides surrounding the space under the porch while Crews from Engine 1 used a hose line from Engine 1 to fully extinguish the fire. Fire crews also used a fan to remove smoke that filled all three floors of the home.

The fire was found after a first floor tenant reported smelling smoke. The fire was located and the house was evacuated prior to the arrival of the fire department. “The homeowner prevented further damage to his home while remembering to get everyone out first” said Deputy Chief Paul Cotter. “He was able to fight the fire from a safe location reducing the amount of fire damage that occurred” he continued. If homeowners make the decision to fight a fire, they must carefully consider their safety and the safety of other occupants first. By making sure the home was evacuated, the homeowner ensured that if the fire couldn’t be controlled, no one else would be trapped in the house. By calling the fire department then fighting the fire from a safe outside location, he ensured his own personal safety by making sure that he had somewhere to go if the fire grew out of control and fire crews were on the way without delay.

Damage was confined to the area around the porch and the contents underneath the porch. Firefighters were able to determine that the fire had not extended into the structure above the fire. None of the ten occupants of the home were displaced.

One firefighter suffered a minor eye injury and was treated at the scene. No civilians reported any injuries.

After an investigation, the fire origin was found to be a bed of bark mulch adjacent to the wooden trim on the side porch. Careless disposal of smoking material most likely caused a smoldering fire in the mulch, which extended to the wood trim, then the contents stored under the porch. The cause of the fire was investigated by Lieutenant Robert Bergeron.

Child Passenger Safety Checkpoint

The Beverly Police and Fire Departments held a joint Child Passenger Safety Checkpoint on Saturday September 20. The event took place at the Memorial Building parking lot on Cabot St between 10 am and 1 pm.

Working together, Police Officers and Firefighters specially trained to install and check car seats gave 25 different caregivers a free inspection of their child’s seat. By the end of the day more than a half dozen seats were replaced and every parent that came in left with an education about transporting their children safely.

The checkpoint kicked off National Child Passenger Safety week and was partly sponsored by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety.

Building Fire

At 2245 on September 15, Engines 1, 4, Ladder 1 and Deputy Chief Paul Cotter were dispatched to 22 Home St. for a report of a house fire. Upon arrival, Deputy Cotter found an extinguished fire in the kitchen on the first floor of the home. It was determined that oil was left unattended heating on the stove top. The oil ignited sending flames up into a vent over the stove and around the vent to the cabinets. Occupants used a garden hose to knock down the fire. Damage was confined to the area of the stove, vent hood and cabinets above and adjacent to the stove.

Water Response

At 2204 on Monday September 15, the Beverly Fire Department responded to the area of Porter St by Gills Park for an unknown type of problem in the river. Engine’s 1,4, Ladder 1, and Deputy Chief Paul Cotter initially responded. In the area, they found no immediate signs of a problem but were relayed reports that people were screaming in the water. Crews stood by until 2241 when the Beverly Police were able to determine that it was a police matter with no person remaining in the water.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

The Beverly Fire Department responded to three motor vehicle accidents with personal injury on September 15. The most serious accident occurred on Route 128 north between exits 18 and 17 where a motor  vehicle left the roadway leaving the operator with significant traumatic injuries. The woman was transported to Beverly Hospital by Northeast Regional Ambulance.  The second accident occurred on a stretch of rt 128 north along the rest area after Brimbal Ave. One woman was transported from the scene with minor injuries. Later a third accident sent a woman to the hospital after a collision occurred on Hale St by Mingo Beach.

Public Safety Hazard

The Beverly Fire Department responded to a report of a public safety hazard at Obear Park on Livingston Ave. When Deputy Chief Paul Cotter arrived, he found the sheet metal roof of the burned out bath house blowing in the fierce winds travelling down the river.

Deputy Cotter requested the help of Public Works and the Beverly Police at the scene. While Beverly Police and firefighters escorted onlookers from the scene, a backhoe was used to push the failing roof into the structure where it was no longer being blown by the wind.

The structure fell victim to a fire which had destroyed most of the wooden structure under the sheet metal roof. The lack of structure underneath allowed the wind to more easily lift up the sheet metal covering. Once the roof was forced into the building, the park was reopened.

Building Fire

At 0414 on September 13, the Beverly Fire Department responded for a report of a building fire at Cityside Diner, 275 Cabot St. When Deputy Chief William Petrosino arrived, he found a fire in a wall adjacent to a stove. Crews from Engine 1, Engine 4, and Ladder 1dug out and extinguished the fire which was climbing up the inside of the wall and making its way into the ceiling.

Crews worked for approximately 45 minutes extinguishing the fire and ensuring that there was no further extension. The fire was caused by heat from the cooktop that was conducted through a sheet metal wall covering to the combustible wall coverings underneath the sheet metal. The health department was notified and responded as is required when there is a fire in a restaurant.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.