An early morning fire in Framingham was met with a swift response from local firefighters, resulting in one injury and a single resident displacement. The Framingham Fire Department reported to a structure fire at 203 Bishop Drive at around 3:45 a.m., as stated on their social media post.
Assigned to the call were Engine 5, Engine 3, Ladder 3, Rescue 1, and Car 2, with additional support arriving shortly thereafter, including Engine 1, Ambulance 1 and 3, and Station 3 for EMS support. The Framingham Police were also active, alerting nearby residents to evacuate due to the heavy smoke reported en route by the responders. "Engine 5 arrived first and pulled an attack line, making an aggressive interior push to extinguish the fire," said Framingham Fire Chief Michael Dutcher on the post.
The efforts of Group 4 crews enabled the fire to be quickly contained and extinguished. During their response, Rescue 1 carried out a primary search of the structure, while Ladder 3 executed vertical ventilation, and Engine 3 set up a water supply and furnished a backup line. The condo unit in question was under renovation, which appears to have prompted the blaze due to the spontaneous combustion of oily rags. Fire Chief Dutcher confirmed the fire's cause and accidental nature.
While fighting the fire, one firefighter suffered from heat exhaustion and was transported to MetroWest Medical Center. "He has since been treated and released," said Dutcher regarding the firefighter's condition on the post. A neighboring resident, whose adjoining unit was affected by the fire, has been displaced as a result. Fire Chief Dutcher lauded the fast action of Group 4, their teamwork having successfully prevented more extensive damage and threats to resident safety.
The incident is still under investigation by the department's Fire Investigation Unit. Chief Dutcher estimated damages from the fire to be around $70,000.
