Stoneham Fire extinguishes Central St. blaze
Published on December 27th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham Fire rushed for a two alarm fire at 4:56 p.m. on Saturday at 222 Central St. Twelve families were displaced as a result of the fire, but no one was hurt. The fire appeared to start in the kitchen of one of the apartments.
Compounding the life safety hazard of the building was the cold temperatures and the fire department’s limited response of only six men on two pieces of apparatus. Upon arriving on the scene Capt. J. Rolli ordered Engine 4 to lay a water supply line to the ladder truck. The ladder truck had to commit itself to pumping capacities because of being only one of two responding apparatus. Engine 4 laid a water supply line from a hydrant on the corner of Central and Westcott. After laying the supply line Lieutenant Mark Chabak assisted in ventilating and first line attack with firefighter Steve Verhault.
At that time Rolli then ordered a second alarm. On the second alarm Reading and Melrose responded with engine companies to the fire while Winchester covered the station. Before the mutual aid companies responded, firefighters Ed Manuel, William Kelley, Guy Cammarata, Verhault, Chabak, and Rolli were all scrambling to find out if anyone was still in their apartments in the building. Several pets were rescued at the scene.
The fire is under investigation by Lt. Frank Gould and patrolman James McIntyre.
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