Firefighters Respond to Three-Alarm Fire in Winchester

This post was written and reported by Mark Ouellette. 

Firefighters from the Winchester region responded to a three-alarm blaze at an Everett Avenue home early Wednesday morning.

At around 1:45 a.m. firefighters were called to a fire at 29 Everett Avenue, according to Winchester Fire Chief John Nash. At the scene, more than a dozen fire engines, ambulances and fire command vehicles lined Everett Avenue, while firefighters from Arlington, Belmont, Woburn, Stoneham, Medford, Reading and Winchester worked to contain and extinguish the blaze.

Nash discussed the response to the blaze.

"It's balloon construction, which means there are no stops in the walls to prevent fire from communicating from one floor to the next," he said. "When firefighters arrived, there was a heavy fire in the rear kitchen and the stairway leading to the second floor had already burned through. The fire was able to get into the crawl spaces and through the attic very quickly."

Heavy gray smoke could be seen billowing from the roof, as firefighters continually worked to put out the fire. Significant damage was done to the home,  as windows were broken, a roof gutter dangled in front of the home and a large hole could be seen along the right front portion of the roof.

No one was injured during the blaze, Nash said, including area firefighters. "We're exhausted but we're OK," he added. However, two dogs died in the blaze.

Belmont Fire Chief David Frizzell said five of his firefighters, including himself, responded to the fire when the third alarm was struck. Frizzell and Assistant Fire Chief Angus Davison responded to the fire from their homes.

"My guys are out back maning hose lines, and my role and the assistant chief's role here is just to help Chief Nash wherever he may need it," Frizzell said around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday while the fire was still concentrated to the roof. "It's more of a support role for us."

Shortly after 5 a.m., the fire appeared to be largely knocked down thanks in part to Medford and Winchester ladder trucks running lines to the roof, while two lines also worked to extinguish the blaze from the ground in front of the home.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to Nash. 

-----

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Updates

5 a.m.: The fire was largely knocked down, as firefighters continued running to the roof and inside the home. Winchester Fire Chief John Nash said no one was injured in the fire, including all responding firefighters from the area. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

4:31 a.m.: Belmont Fire Chief David Frizzell said five of his firefighters, including himself, responded to the fire when the third alarm was struck.

4:12 a.m.: Firefighters appeared to be examining the second floor using flashlights, while crews continue to battle fires concentrated to a middle window on the roof and the back right corner.

4 a.m.: Firefighters from Winchester and Woburn could be seen running a line into the house through the front door. Firefighters have been tackling the blaze for over two hours now. 

• Heavy gray smoke billowing from roof after firefighters ran line to it. Fire appeared to be dying down around 3:45 a.m.; however, it is picking up again along the upper right section of the roof.
• At least a dozen fire engines and emergency vehicles are lining Everett Avenue, with Winchester and Medford ladder trucks in operation. 
• As of 3:20 a.m., firefighters still battling fire largely concentrated to the upper roof of the structure. 
• Firefighters from several area fire departments are at the scene, including Winchester, Stoneham, Reading, Medford and Belmont.

Original story

Firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire on Everett Avenue early Wednesday morning, according to reports.

The fire reportedly broke out at 29 Everett Ave. sometime before 2 a.m., and a second alarm ordered shortly after 2, according to multiple Twitter reports.

Twitter user @NEincidents tweeted that it was a "reported structure fire-mutual aid to the scene." It is unclear what units provided mutual aid.

Twitter user @sparkythepit reported heavy smoke was coming from the roof of the Everett Avenue home. Later, a third alarm was struck, according to multiple reports.

We'll provide additional updates as we receive them.