A Thursday afternoon fire destroyed a home on North Street, though firefighters are unsure at the time what started the blaze.
A quiet North Street neighborhood was filled with smoke on Thursday afternoon when firefighters received a call that the property at 20 North Street was engulfed in flames. No one was injured in the fire, but the home was completely destroyed.
In this Article:
No one was home when the fire started, and Wilmington firefighters are still looking into the cause of the flames.
A Thursday afternoon fire that took several hours for firefighters to control destroyed a North Street home. Though there was heavy damage to the property, no one was home when the flames began and the family’s two cats escaped harm. Deputy Chief Rick McClellan said it is unclear at this time what caused the fire, which started just after 11 a.m. One firefighter was transported from the scene early on, but Fire Chief Ed Bradbury received confirmation about one hour later that he suffered only an ankle sprain. A neighbor called in the fire, and firefighters were quickly on scene. But by the time they arrived, flames had completely engulfed the structure. McClellan said crews had a hard time getting into the house initially, and were unsure …
In this Article:
3:22 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
My thoughts are with the family in this hard time. more ›
Wilmington firefighters are battling a heavy fire at 20 North St., according to public safety transmissions.
Updated at 3:09 p.m.: The fire is almost completely out with the majority of crews packed up. No one was home when the flames started, and the family's two cats escaped harm. Read this story for complete details on the fire, and check back later for video from the scene. Original Story: Wilmington firefighters are battling a heavy fire at a home at 20 North St. that started Thursday morning, according to public safety transmissions. Initial reports of the fire came in around 11:22 a.m., with reports of smoke and fire showing upon firefighters arrival. Firefighters reported the rear of the building was fully involved, with lines run to the rear of the building to attack the blaze. A report around 11:43 a.m. said that one firefighter was …
In this Article:
12:03 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
I set up a website online for George: www.giveforward.com/helpgeorgerebuild more ›
In total, the incident took about one hour to contain and the family was allowed back in the home.
Firefighters were called to Woburn Street on Friday night after receiving a 911 call for a chimney fire at a neighborhood home. Deput Chief Rick McClellan said the residents immediately called for help and when crews arrived there was fire showing from the chimney. Lt. Chris Pozzi led crews at the scene as firefighters were able to minimize the damage done by the flames, McClellan said. Once the fire was doused, crews removed burning logs from the fireplace and dropped weighted chains into the chimney to clear any blockages. Then firefighters dropped a dry chemical powder down the chimney in order to smother any embers left behind. Firefighters also used a thermal imaging camera to check the area where the fire began, and about one hour …
Wilmington firefighters are now trained in Nasal Narcan, which can reverse overdose effects, and also in blood sugar and nebulizer methods to better treat residents in distress.
Wilmington firefighters know they have to be ready at any moment to handle whatever situation is thrown at them. Thanks to recent training, they’ll be ready for even more scenarios. In particular, new techniques will allow firefighters to be prepared for what has unfortunately become a fairly regular trend in the community and across the nation. As of November 1, Wilmington became the first Fire Department outside of the state’s pilot program given the authority to use Nasal Narcan if they are called to the scene of a drug overdose. Nasal Narcan blocks opioids and and restores normal breathing when sprayed into the nose of someone who has overdosed, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Within about one minute, a …
11:49 pm on Saturday, November 17, 2012
My son is alive today because of Wilmington's finest. I know Mikey appreciates them as much as I do!!! more ›
The Monday incident was triggered when a scrap collector hit a 100-pound cylinder.
A metal scrap collector inadvertently triggered a propane leak when he struck a tank in his van while loading items on Monday afternoon, forcing the closure of Andover Street for a period of time before the scene was safe. The incident happened on Monday afternoon at 214 Andover Street when the scrap collector accidentally pierced a 100-pound cylinder that was in the back of his van. Because of the propane in the air, firefighters were forced to ask police to close Andover Street for about one hour while they worked at the scene. Deputy Chief Rick McClellan said crews tied into a hydrant on the opposite side of Andover Street and used it to fog the area around the van, dissipating the gas until it was no longer a threat. According to …
9:32 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Is this the same scrap guy that knocked over my lamppost and left a complete mess in my yard? Cost me time and money to replace it. Can we regulate these collectors? more ›
We look back at the top police and fire headlines on Wilmington Patch for October.
From a tree house fire to a bank robbery and a hurricane, it was a busy month for the Wilmington Police Department and Wilmington Fire Department. With October coming to a close earlier this week, we give you a look at the top police and fire stories from Wilmington Patch in the last month. October 4 Tempers flared on the picket line when police said an independent truck driver approached striking employees at xpedx and when officers stopped him he suddenly accelerated. Gerald Smith, 78, was charged with a variety of motor vehicle offenses, including assault with a dangerous weapon, after an officer was briefly by the vehicle. October 6 A Factory Road tree house went up in flames after a group of youths were playing with matches inside. …
In this Article:
One person was removed from a truck and transported to a local hospital after Hurricane Sandy toppled the tree in Wilmington.
Hurricane Sandy left the first piece of major damage in Wilmington on Monday afternoon. High winds knocked down a large pine tree in the area of Shawsheen Ave. and Grace Road. The tree fell on top of a truck, trapping the driver inside. Wilmington Deputy Fire Chief Rick McClellan confirmed to Patch that the driver was extricated from the vehicle as firefighters popped the door out and loaded the driver into a waiting ambulance. McClellan said the condition of the driver is not currently known, but he was transported to Lahey Clinic. In addition, a large amount of wires and debris are down in the area. McClellan said Route 129 will be closed “for a while.” “It’s quite a mess up here,” said McClellan. Check back for more details on this …
In this Article:
After 30 years with the Wilmington Fire Department, Rick McClellan was recently sworn in as Deputy Chief.
Rick McClellan is new to the job. But it comes to the Wilmington Fire Department, he’s a seasoned veteran. McClellan was recently sworn in as Deputy Fire Chief after 30 years serving the community as a firefighter and lieutenant. “I was very happy that I was offered the position,” said McClellan, who was offered the job based on his experience and score on a test taken by all who were interested in the title. “I look forward to the opportunities to better the department.” With three decades in the Wilmington Fire Department under his belt, McClellan said it’s difficult to pinpoint one call that has stood out to him as most memorable. What the new Deputy Chief enjoys most about his job is the unexpected nature of each day. “Over 30 years …
In this Article:
The weekend flames were quickly doused and no damage was done inside the apartment.
An improperly discarded cigarette started a weekend fire on Avalon Drive, but firefighters doused the flames before they spread inside the property. According to Deputy Fire Chief Rick McClellan, firefighters received a call around 6:45 p.m. on Friday that flames were rising on a deck the apartment complex. McClellan said firefighters had the fire completely under control by 7:15 p.m. There was no structural or electrical damage done, though the flames did reach the apartment’s attic. “Luckily, it wasn’t as bad as it looks,” said McClellan. “It was careless disposal of smoking materials. The cigarette was put out in a plastic bucket, but it wasn’t all the way out and that’s what started the fire.” In 2010, 1,862 fires were caused by …
7:11 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
Comments have been removed from this article for violating Patch's terms of use. more ›
joe maza
9:38 am on Monday, May 20, 2013
George heated his home with a wood burning stove, was that the cause of the fire?? more ›