By Ron Ayotte, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – The Marlborough Fire Department battled a one alarm fire Nov. 23. The fire was at 105 Lincoln St. in a 24 x 36 detached garage.
The fire was discovered by the crew of Patriot Ambulance P6, who were on their way back to their quarters on Sawin Street on their way back from a call. They notified Marlborough Fire Alarm about the fire and went to house to evacuate the residents in case the fire spread to the home. Engines 1 and 2, Rescue 1, Tower 1 and Car 5 responded to the fire, along with Marlborough Engine 3, designated as the Rapid Intervention Team. (The Rapid Intervention Team, also known as RIT, is tasked with rescuing firefighters should they get disoriented or trapped by fire or collapse).
Battalion Chef Ken MacEwen stated that “You could see a thick, black column of smoke in the air as they turned out of Fire Headquarters… I struck the first alarm as we were responding”. Marlborough Car 2 and Car 3 also responded to the scene.
Marlborough Engine 2, based at the Pleasant Street Firehouse, was the first unit to arrive on the scene. Firefighter/EMT Jonathan Ayotte, the driver and pump operator of Engine 2 stated “We saw the column of smoke the minute we turned onto Lincoln Street. E2 was first on scene with a well involved detached garage. E2’s crew stretched the first attack line to the fire, E1 established water supply and the Rescue took a second attack line off E2. We had water on the fire just moments after our arrival.”
The fire was difficult to fight as the structure contained clothing and other merchandise that was being collected for donation to charities. Significant overhaul (pulling apart the clothing and other materials in the garage) was required to ensure that the fire was extinguished. Two cars parked nearby also has heat damage from the fire.
The stations were covered by off duty personnel called in to cover the Department’s reserve apparatus.
The MFD’s Fire Investigation Unit determined the cause of the fire to be electrical in nature. Damage to the structure was estimated at $50,000.
Photos/courtesy Marlborough Firefighters Local 1714
