Congress St. fire kills rabbits; homeowners left unhurt
Published on February 2nd, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - A fire which began late Sunday night killed six rabbits and caused almost $4,000 in damage to property on Congress Street.
Firefighter William Dockery cut his hand while fighting the fire and required stitches, but no homeowners were hurt. The cause is under investigation but assumed to be accidental at this point, possibly a wiring problem, Chief Lamey said.
The Stoneham Fire Department responded to a 911 call from Congress Street at 11:32 p.m. on Sunday. Upon arrival Group 3 led by Capt. Douglas Griffin and Lt. Edward Regan found a shed and rabbit cages at 28 Congress St. on fire.
Stoneham firefighters, arriving on Engines 4, 5 and Ladder 1, ran into a delay when a valve on the pumping engine jammed.
"That slowed us down, but we got going pretty quickly," Lamey said. "The pump is being serviced," he added.
The fire spread to the fence and a shed on adjacent property at 30 Congress Street. At this point Stoneham struck a second alarm, requesting assistance. Winchester Fire and off-duty Stoneham firefighters on Engine 2 responded.
"The heat from the fire melted some of the siding on the 30 Congress Street shed," Lamey said.
No one was home at 30 Congress St., and the Loder family of 28 Congress St. were safely off the property as firefighters battled the blaze. Both sheds were unattached structures, separate from the houses.
Firefighters had extinguished the fire by 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 31.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!