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Update issued after Lakeville, Middleborough, Raynham, Freetown, Berkley extinguish large fire in icy conditions

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John Sjostedt III

Lakeville – The Lakeville Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire in the area of 32 Southworth Street on Thursday. At least seven 911 calls were made to dispatchers reporting a large fire.

According to Lakeville FD, the fire was discovered when the occupant of a nearby home heard a loud explosion. The individual reports that the explosion shook his house, he exited the house and found a large building on the farm property heavily involved in fire.

At the time of the blaze, the Lakeville Fire Department was committed to a medical emergency. A lone firefighter responded with Engine 2 to the scene; Chief O’Brien and Deputy Chief Garant joined the response from their residences.

Due to information coming from the scene, a working fire assignment was requested from Plymouth County Control prior to the arrival of the fire department. A special request was also made for 2 additional tankers above the working fire assignment, due to the lack of fire hydrants in the area.

A full recall of off-duty and on-call staff was transmitted.

Arriving firefighters found fire throughout a utility building that served as a shop and storage area for the cranberry farm and initiative defensive (exterior) operations.

Horses and other farm animals were relocated from a nearby barn. Fortunately, firefighters were able to keep the fire from jumping to the next building.

There were no injuries to the public or firefighters. Freezing conditions made the scene hazardous for operations, firefighters had great difficulty navigating the ice-covered ground.

Firefighters remained on the scene for more than 5 hours extinguishing the fire.

Responding Lakeville apparatus included Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Tanker 1, Ambulance 3, Squad 3, Car 2, and Car 1.

Mutual Aid Fire Departments:

Middleborough Fire Department – Engine, Tanker, Ambulance, and Chief.

Freetown Fire Department – Engine, Tanker, and Deputy Chief

Raynham Fire Department – Engine and Tanker

Berkley Fire Department – Tanker and Chief

Department of Fire Services – Rehab vehicle and State Police Fire Investigation Unit

Providence Canteen

Support Services:

Lakeville Police Department (scene security/traffic control)

Lakeville Department of Public Works (road sanding)

Massachusettes DOT (road sanding)

Middleborough Gas and Electric (isolation of utilities)

Lakeville Fire Chief Mike O’Brien expressed his gratitude to the mutual aid partners and support agencies for their efforts.

The Chief also commended his crew for their hard work, operating into the early morning hours, resetting equipment for the next incident.

The cause of the fire is undetermined but does not appear suspicious.

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