Watertown Fire Log: July 4 to July 10

Incidents

July 5, 1:29 p.m.: Watertown police found a man passed out at a home on Arlington Street. It appeared the man had been inhaling fumes from an aerosol can. The patient did not provide firefighters with much information> He was taken to Mt. Auburn Hospital to be treated.

July 6, 7:47 a.m.: Firefighters went to a home on Whitney Street after a report of smoke. The homeowner said the smoke came from a furnace, possibly due to delayed ignition. The homeowner had shut down the furnace, and the Fire officials red tagged it until the Fire Prevention Office could inspect it.

July 6, 4:20 p.m.: Fire crews responded to a call for a motorcycle accident and found that a scooter rider hurt his right foot when the scooter tipped over. The foot was iced and the rider was taken to Mt. Auburn Hospital.

July 6, 8:01 p.m.: A mulch fire started on Arsenal Street in front of the Watertown Mall. Flames burned an area of 2 feet by 3 feet. The blaze was extinguished and the area was wet down.

July 8, 2:15 p.m.: A hot water pipe burst in a third-floor bathroom of a home on Spruce Street. Fire crews shot off the water, but the leak continued. Fire officials shot off the hot water and gas at the water heater, and shut off power to the affected areas. The water had leaked through the walls and ceilings of the unit below. The homeowners were told to have a plumber and an electrician inspect the areas before turning the power on.

July 10, 12:36 p.m.: Smoke spread through an apartment complex on Riverside Street. Firefighters discovered that a grease fire had caused the smoke, but had been put out before they arrive. Crews ventilated the building to remove the smoke.

July 10, 2:11 p.m.: A neighbor on Paul Street reported that someone was using a grill in an unsafe manner. Firefighters found that a resident had been using an aluminum foil-type charcoal barbecue on the second floor porch, underneath an enclosed living space. Fire crews told the man that it was dangerous to do that and he was putting all the residents in danger. He was told to dispose of the contraption and was told not to use it again within 10 feet of a building or vehicle.

July 10, 2:13 p.m.: A fire started in some sawdust and woodworking material outside a house on Lawrence Street. The house where the fire started was empty, but a neighbor was trying to extinguish it with a garden hose. Part of the home’s vinyl siding was scorched but the flames had not spread. The fire appeared to be due to the wood dust and wood finishing chemicals combined with the hot weather conditions. The woodworking items had been left by a floor-refinishing company.

July 10, 11:35 p.m.: A fire crew went to Hosmer School after a mulch fire was reported. They found that the playground was burning heavily and because it was near the building, more fire crews were called in. The fire was knocked down just using the water in Engine 2, about 300 to 400 gallons. The fire, however, destroyed most of the playground equipment, leaving only metal pieces. The mulch in the area was watered down to avoid a flare up.

Statistics

Fires - 3

Transports to Hospital – 34

Total Calls - 83