Wareham officer saves dog from house fire, home total loss

A quick thinking off-duty police officer saved a family pet in a devastating fire.

On Friday, May 8, at about 4:05 p.m. Wareham Police Communications Officers Nicolle Amaral and Scott McDaniel began receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a fire on Cranberry Highway near McDonald’s restaurant. Onset Fire Department was notified and Wareham Police officers responded to assist.

Officer Christopher Corner had just left the police station, was off-duty, and observed the smoke in the sky while traveling on Cranberry Highway. Officer Corner determined that a home was on fire in the Silver Lake Mobile Home Park and observed neighbors who had forced open a door. He immediately responded by entering the burning building to check for occupants, and in the process located a dog which was safely removed. In addition, Officer Corner was able to provide incoming emergency responders updated information by radio. Additional police officers responded, assisting fire personnel and redirecting traffic.

According to the Onset Fire Department, the first arriving crew made an aggressive attack on the fire, knocking the bulk of fire down within minutes. Crews remained on scene for several hours to complete the overhaul process and the wetting down of hotspots. The main fire building was considered a total loss, while two other buildings sustained minimal damage from heat. The Onset Fire Department, assisted by the Wareham Police Detective Division and the Massachusetts State Police Fire Investigation Unit from the Massachusetts State Fire Marshall’s Office, conducted an investigation into a possible cause. At this time, the cause is undetermined, but not believed to be suspicious in nature.

In response to Officer Corner’s heroism, Chief of Police John Walcek said, “Chris jumped into action even after working a double shift on patrol. He is an excellent police officer who gives 100 percent all of the time.”

The dog was returned to the owner unharmed.