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Taunton Fire Department Responds to 3-Alarm Fire at Multi-Family Home

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Firefighters Rescue Man from Second-Floor Balcony

Media note: At 10:45 p.m., Chief Bradshaw will be speaking to the media in the parking lot of Eye Health Vision Centers, 64 Winthrop St., Taunton.

To view a video of the fire click here.

TAUNTON — Chief Timothy Bradshaw reports that the Taunton Fire Department is responding to large fire at a multi-family home on Harrison Street Tuesday night.

The first responding firefighters used a ladder to rescue a man from a second-floor balcony as the fire burned close by. The man’s condition is unknown at this time but he was conscious and alert at the time of rescue and did not require medical assistance.

At approximately 8:20 p.m., the Taunton Fire Department was called to 46 Harrison St. for a report of a house fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters saw large flames and heavy smoking coming from the second floor and roof of the 2.5-story wood-frame home.

Incident commander Deputy Chief Eric Dumont, quickly called for all available Taunton Fire apparatus to respond to the scene and struck a second alarm for fire departments from surrounding communities to respond. The Raynham, Dighton, Norton and Rehoboth fire departments were providing assistance.

As the fire continued to quickly spread throughout the 6-apartment building, Chief Bradshaw struck a third alarm, seeking additional manpower at the scene.

As of approximately 10:30 p.m., the roof had collapsed into the building and crews were still battling the fire. There are about 35 firefighters, eight engines and two ladder trucks on scene at this time.

All residents of the home are believed to have made it out of the building safely. All residents will be displaced as a result of the fire and the Taunton Emergency Management Agency was responding to the scene to assist.

One Taunton firefighter was treated at the scene for a heat related condition and is expected to be okay.

Harrison Street and Winthrop Street (Route 44) will both be closed while the scene remains active. The Taunton Police Department is on scene assisting and directing traffic.

The scene is expected to remain active for several hours and residents and drivers are asked to seek alternate routes.

The Taunton firefighters that rescued the man from the balcony were Tony Burton, John Gulan and Sarah Riendeau.

Further information will be provided when it becomes available.

 

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Taunton Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents that Use of Fireworks in Massachusetts is Illegal

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TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw would like to remind Taunton residents as the Fourth of July approaches that the use of fireworks is illegal in the state of Massachusetts.

It is illegal to use, possess, or sell fireworks of any kind in Massachusetts, including Class C fireworks, which are sometimes falsely called “safe and sane fireworks.” Class C fireworks include sparklers, party poppers, snappers, firecrackers, spinners, cherry bombs and more. Residents are also prohibited from purchasing fireworks elsewhere and transporting them into the state.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, during the month surrounding the Fourth of July, approximately 280 people nationwide go to the emergency room seeking treatment for injuries caused by fireworks every day.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks are also the cause of 18,500 fires on average each year.

This does not mean residents cannot enjoy fireworks displays over the course of the summer. However, Chief Walsh and Chief Bradshaw recommend that residents only attend celebrations put on by a licensed professional to ensure safety.

Residents should also remember to:

  • Watch fireworks displays from a safe distance.
  • Call 911 if anyone gets injured by fireworks.
  • Set a positive example for children by not using illegal fireworks. If kids see adults using them, they may not realize the dangers and could be encouraged to pick up matches or lighters.
  • Be careful around even the smallest fireworks. Sparklers burn at 1,800 degrees and could easily cause severe burns and injuries.

Anyone who has questions about fireworks or fireworks safety should contact the Taunton Fire Department at 508-824-4024 or the Taunton Police Department at 508-824-7522.

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Taunton Police Arrest and Charge Man with Intentionally Setting Fires Last Week

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For Immediate Release

Monday, June 10, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Police Arrest and Charge Man with Intentionally Setting Fires Last Week

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh reports that the Taunton Police Department has today arrested and charged a man with intentionally setting five fires in the city last week, within the span of approximately two hours.

DEREK LINDSAY, AGE 46, OF TAUNTON was charged with:

  • Arson of a Dwelling (Three Counts)
  • Burning Personal Property (Two Counts)
  • Breaking and Entering a Building in the Nighttime for a Felony

LINDSAY was arraigned today at Taunton District Court.

The fires were set between approximately 11:20 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, and 1:30 a.m. Thursday, June 6. The locations of the fires were:

  • Silver City Gas, 69 Weir St.
  • Art’s International Bakery II, 210 Weir St.
  • 220 Weir St.
  • 228 Weir St.
  • 29 Leonard Court

All five fires were able to be quickly knocked down and extinguished by the Taunton Fire Department. Due to fire damage to the electrical system at 210 Weir St., four residents living in two apartments above the bakery were temporarily displaced. No injuries were reported.

Through the subsequent investigation by Taunton Police detectives, it was determined that LINDSAY allegedly lit each of the five fires. An arrest warrant was obtained by Taunton Police detectives this morning and at approximately 1 p.m. today, LINDSAY was located and placed under arrest near the corner of County and Hart Streets.

“This was great work by our Detective Unit to develop this individual as our suspect and place him under arrest, all within days of the fires,” Chief Walsh said. “I want to commend our detectives for quickly solving this case and I would also like to thank the many members of our business community who willingly shared security surveillance footage that played a major part in our investigation.”

The Taunton Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted in the investigation. The incidents remain under active investigation by the Taunton Police Department.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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Taunton Fire and Police Departments Investigating String of Overnight Suspicious Fires

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For Immediate Release

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Fire and Police Departments Investigating String of Overnight Suspicious Fires

TAUNTON — Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw and Police Chief Edward Walsh report that the Taunton Fire and Police Departments and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating five fires that may have been intentionally set within the span of approximately two hours overnight.

The incidents remain under active investigation and police are seeking to identify the person or people responsible. Anyone with information about the fires or who may have noticed any suspicious activity in the area of Weir Street and Leonard Court is asked to call the Taunton Police Department at 508-824-7522 or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-682-9229.

The Property and Casualty Insurance Companies of MA and RI, through their Arson Watch Reward Program, are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for anyone who can help to solve the case or identify the person or people responsible for the fires.

No injuries have been reported in the fires.

The fires were set between approximately 11:20 p.m. Wednesday and 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

The locations of the fires were:

  • Silver City Gas, 69 Weir St.
  • Art’s International Bakery II, 210 Weir St.
  • 220 Weir St.
  • 228 Weir St.
  • 29 Leonard Court

All five fires were able to be quickly knocked down and extinguished by the Taunton Fire Department.

Due to fire damage to the electrical system at 210 Weir St., four residents living in two apartments above the bakery have been displaced.

Taunton Police briefly detained a person of interest for questioning early Thursday morning and the person was subsequently released.

To avoid being a potential target of arson, Chief Bradshaw suggests that residents lock the doors and windows to their homes, use motion-sensor lights around the perimeter of your home and business and remove anything an arsonist could use as fuel for a fire.

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Taunton Police and Fire Departments Offer Helpful Guidelines During National 911 Education Month

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Taunton Fire Department
Chief Timothy J. Bradshaw
50 School St.
Taunton, MA 02780
Taunton Police Department
Chief Edward James Walsh
23 Summer St.
Taunton, MA 02780

For Immediate Release

Friday, April 12, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Taunton Police and Fire Departments Offer Helpful Guidelines During National 911 Education Month

TAUNTON — April is National 911 Education Month. Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw would like to ensure residents are prepared and able to access help during emergencies.

Around 240 million 911 calls are made in the U.S. each year. Public safety agencies around the country use 911 Education Month to conduct outreach to educate community members on 911 resources and best practices.

To ensure your family knows how to get help in an emergency, Chief Bradshaw and Chief Walsh recommend following safety tips provided by the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA):

Call If You Can, Text If You Can’t

Text-to-9-1-1 service is available in an increasing number of communities around the country, including Taunton. The service benefits individuals (or persons) who are deaf, hard of hearing or in a situation where they cannot speak and make a voice call. However, a traditional voice call, if possible, is still the best way to reach emergency services.

Know Your Location

Wireless calls to 911 provide location information, but 911 call takers may need more specific information. Be prepared to provide detailed information on where you are so that help can get to you as quickly as possible.

Stay Calm and Don’t Hang Up

Until you are instructed to do otherwise, stay on the line so you can provide any necessary information to the 9-1-1 call taker. Even if you accidentally call 9-1-1, don’t hang up. Inform the call taker that you dialed accidentally and that there is no emergency.

NASNA works to save lives and improve emergency response by supporting a national 9-1-1 education and awareness effort to ensure the appropriate and responsible use of 9-1-1 resources. Additional 9-1-1 education materials are available at www.know911.org.

ABOUT NATIONAL 911 MONTH

In 2008, the United States Congress recognized April as National 9-1-1 Education Month, supporting the efforts of the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition to provide resources and materials to support public education about the optimal use of 911 services nationwide. (Know911.org)

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Source: nena.org

Contact Us

FOR EMERGENCIES
DIAL 911

Non-emergency phone number:
(508) 824-4024
Fire Prevention: (508) 821-1453
Main Office: (508) 821-1452

tauntonfire
tauntonfire

Fire Chief
Timothy J. Bradshaw

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Mailing address:
Central Fire Station
50 School Street
Taunton, MA 02780