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Taunton Police and Fire Respond After Illegal Use of Fireworks Causes Injuries, Structure Fire

July 3, 2019 by John Guilfoil

Taunton Police and Fire responded to a residence yesterday after fireworks caused a deck fire. (Courtesy Photo Taunton Fire Department)
The Taunton Police and Fire Departments remind residents that fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts. (Courtesy Photo Taunton Fire Department)
The resident was building wooden racks to hold fireworks when the fireworks caught fire. (Courtesy Photo Taunton Fire Department)

TAUNTON — Police Chief Edward Walsh and Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw report that the Taunton Police and Fire Departments responded to a home last night after a man set off several illegal fireworks, causing injuries to himself and igniting a structure fire.

On Tuesday, July 2, at approximately 5:45 p.m., police and fire responded to 352 Middleboro Ave. on a report of a structure fire.

Engines 1, 3 and 9, along with Ladder 3 and Car 2 arrived on scene to find the exterior of the home had caught fire and was smoldering.

Upon arrival, first responders found a 24-year-old man in the process of extinguishing a fire on the home’s deck.

An on scene investigation indicated that the man was building wooden racks to hold plastic mortar tubes that he’d then fill with fireworks. During that process, it is believed that a spark from a power tool he was using ignited one of the fireworks that was in the rack, which then ignited several other fireworks.

The fireworks then began to go off on the deck, which lit the siding of the house on fire. The fire did not spread to inside the home.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene, along with the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad, which removed and properly disposed of the fireworks.

The man suffered burns to his hands. He declined medical assistance at the scene.

“Thankfully this resident was not seriously injured and the fire did not extend into the home,” Chief Bradshaw said. “This situation is exactly why residents are required by law to leave fireworks displays to the professionals. With the holiday tomorrow, we remind everyone to please celebrate responsibly.”

The Taunton Police Detective Division and the State Fire Marshall’s Office are actively investigating this incident.

Taunton police and fire would like to remind residents that the use of fireworks is illegal in the state of Massachusetts, and that to prevent injury and structure fires, residents should only attend celebrations put on by a licensed professional.

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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Filed Under: Taunton FD News Tagged With: deck fire, fire department, fireworks, investigation, police department, Taunton

Taunton Fire Department Responds to Two-Alarm Fire Overnight

August 3, 2017 by John Guilfoil

Taunton Fire Department
Timothy J. Bradshaw, Fire Chief
50 School St.
Taunton, MA 02780

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: john@jgpr.net

Taunton Fire Department Responds to Two-Alarm Fire Overnight

TAUNTON – Chief Timothy Bradshaw reports the Taunton Fire Department extinguished a two-alarm fire overnight.

Around 12:50 a.m., the Taunton Fire Department received a 911 call regarding a fire at 215 High St.

Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy fire at the 2 1/2 story Victorian home. A second alarm was immediately ordered. Taunton’s Engine 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 responded, along with Command Car 2 and Ladder 2. The Norton, Dighton and Raynham Fire Departments provided station coverage.

The three occupants of the single-family home were outside prior to Taunton Fire’s arrival and were not injured.

Crews made an aggressive exterior attack, working throughout the night to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters remained on scene until approximately 9:45 a.m. wetting down hot spots. The home is deemed a total loss, and the residents are working with the American Red Cross to find temporary housing.

During the fire, one firefighter sustained injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening and was transported to an area hospital.

“This was an extremely involved fire that quickly spread throughout the balloon-frame home,” Chief Bradshaw said. “I commend firefighters for working around the clock to put this fire out and to ensure that there was no extension to surrounding homes.”

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by the Taunton Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

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Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: fire, fire department, firefighters, Taunton, two-alarm

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

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Fire Chief
Steven P. Lavigne

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

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141 Oak Street
Taunton, MA 02780

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