Investigators are probing a series of suspicious fires at the historical Fernald School site in Waltham, with the latest incidents prompting concerns for public safety. Local officials, including Waltham's Fire Chief Andrew Mullin and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, have suggested a potential link between the recent April blazes and prior fires on the property, stretching back to December 2024. For anyone holding tips on the matter, a reward up to $5,000 is being offered through the Arson Watch Reward Program, as reported by Mass.gov.
Responding to a call in the wee hours of April 19, firefighters were met with fierce flames engulfing the Schoolhouse/Gym and Manual Training Building at 200 Trapelo Road. The response escalated to a four-alarm fire involving multiple departments and after a grueling six-hour fight, the fire was extinguished. According to officials, engaged in a battle with the blaze, firefighters faced a collapsing roof and a first-floor that gave way into the basement—a stark reminder of the inherent danger of structure fires.
Chief Mullin emphasized the peril posed by these flames, stating to Mass.gov, "Firefighters confronted heavy smoke and flames venting out the windows," and reinforcing that even vacant buildings can present significant risks during a fire. The fires on April 19, along with prior incidents, were flagged as intentionally set by investigators from multiple law enforcement divisions.
Earlier fires at the Fernald School site include a relatively contained one at the Chapel of the Holy Innocents on December 14, 2024, and another devastative occurrence at Chipman Hall on January 18, 2025, which ended in a roof collapse. All of these incidents have one thing in common – occurring on Saturdays that makes the pattern strike anyone as unusual, concentrating anxiety within community members and investigators alike on identifying and stopping the perpetrator before any harm comes to pass.
To assist in the investigation, the authorities are urging the public to come forward with any potentially relevant information. "If you were in the area of the Fernald School on these dates and saw anything suspicious, or if you have specific information on the person or persons responsible, please share it with investigators at 1-800-682-9229," urged State Fire Marshal Davine on Mass.gov, confirming that tipsters may choose to remain anonymous. For the safety of everyone involved, resolving these incidents swiftly remains a top priority for Waltham's fire and police officials.
