Updated: Fire in Fells Caused by Arson

(Updated, 8/23, noon)

The fire that started in the Middlesex Fells Friday afternoon was definitely man-made and looks as though was set on purpose, according to Fire Chief John Nash.

"The fire was undoubtedly man-made," Nash said. "There were no natural reasons this started. The area is restricted by traffic, it wasn't caused by a catalytic converter; it was most likely man-made and probably arson."

According to Nash, there will be no arson investigation into the cause of the fire.

The Winchester Fire Department has also discovered the approximate location of where the fire originated. According to Nash, it appears the fire started over near the restricted area of the reservoir. There is a 200-foot area around the reservoirs that are off limits to hikers.

The fire burnt all the way to the edge of the reservoirs.

"There are so many trails out there and a lot of people are up in some of those areas where they shouldn't be, even though there are posted 'No Trespassing' signs," Captain John Surabian said. 

As of now, with the help of the rain, it seems as though the fire is almost out. The department had men up there through Sunday, but as of Monday morning everyone is back at the station. The Winchester FD will continue to send patrols to the Fells to make sure the fire stays out.

"We were able to secure the area," Nash said. "We removed the pumps and the hoses. The fire is completely out except for a couple of deep-seeded underground areas that will be burning for a little while longer, but with the rain and humidiity it will kepe it form spreading.

Friday afternoon, the Winchester Fire Department requested the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing to the scene to help control the flames. According to Nash, the fire has burned approximately seven acres of the Fells.

Making the fire even more difficult to fight was the fact that there hadn't been one in that area of the Fells in so long.

"There hasn't been a fire there for a few years and now that natural vegetation is real thick," Surabian said. "The fire was been travelling underground and popping up in different places, a hundred yards away."

By Saturday morning the Massachusetts Forest Fire Control sent at least seven trucks to the Fells, as they tried to help the Winchester FD extinguish the flames.

The Fells brush fire in Winchester started along Hillcrest Parkway, while another, smaller fire, started in Stoneham along Route 28 earlier on Friday.

The fire was never a threat to the homes along Hillcrest Parkway, and no injuries have been reported. The fire, which is approximately one to two miles away from the homes and adjacent to the reservoir, was believed to have started sometime early Friday afternoon.

Check back later for more updates.