By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Photo/Melanie Petrucci
Northborough – Selectmen praised Fire Chief David Parenti and his department at their June 11 meeting for the response and coordination in extinguishing the four-alarm fire that took place on June 2 at the vacant R&T Furniture store in the center of Northborough.
The fire went on for several hours but it did not cause the garage to its right, nor the Mobil Gas station to its left, any significant harm. Once the officials retrieved what they needed for investigative purposes, the building was brought down to put the remainder of the fire out.
“The response to the unfortunate fire at R&T Furniture Store was remarkable,” said recently elected Selectman Julianne Hirsch. “My deepest thanks to our Fire Department and emergency services and all of the support of the surrounding fire departments who contained the fire and prevented more extensive damage.”
Selectman Tim Kaelin, also newly elected, echoed her comments.
“I was very impressed with the feedback from the community,” he said. “I was not aware of the confidence that the community had in your abilities and your services. It’s something that I’m very proud of and I’m very appreciative.”
“This was just an unbelievable situation,” added Selectman Leslie Rutan. “People came to watch and appeared out of nowhere. It was amazing. … Everyone had their role and everyone did it wonderfully. To see our crews doing what they do what they needed to do so carefully and so precisely was absolutely amazing.”
Parenti said that the cause of the fire was not considered to be of a suspicious nature and that the investigation would be concluded in the next few days.
In related business, the board unanimously approved Northborough’s participation in the Statewide Safety Mutual Aid Agreement with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Communities entering into this agreement can request emergency assistance from any participating community in the state.
