Belmont Fire Log: Be Careful Where You Dispose Your Butts

Leaky head
July 14 – 10 minutes past 8 a.m., Engine 2 and Ladder 1 headed over to the Purecoat North facility on Hittinger Street after a call about water being released at the site. The crews found a sprinkler head had malfunctioned wetting down the area. The sprinkler system was shut down and a property representative responded  to handle the service and repair.

Poor wabbit
July 14 – 10 minutes past noon, Rescue 1 was flagged down by a pedestrian in front of a Trapelo Road house who was concerned about a deceased rabbit on the side of the road. Rescue 1 informed the concerned resident that Public Works would be notified to have the poor bunny's remains removed.

Careless butt disposal nearly sets two-family on fire
July 16 – Just after 10:30 a.m., the entire fire force was sent to a two-family on Benjamin Road for a report of smoke inside the building. dispatched to 46 BENJAMIN RD to investigate the reported smoke from the building. The crews arrived to find Belmont Police evacuating the residents. Firefighters saw light smoke coming from underneath the shingles on the ground floor. Crews from Engine 1 and Ladder 1 ripped out the surrounding shingles and cut a hole in the structure in order to cool the heated area with an extinguisher. Engine 2 established a continues water supply from the hydrant and entered the basement while Rescue 1 checked for fire on each floor of the structure. Thankfully there was no interior smoke or fire extension. It soon became apparent that the possible cause of the fire came from an "errant" cigarette that was carelessly disposed. Firefighters noticed several cigarette butts around the side porch and ground. The fire chief at the scene  spoke with the building owner and told her about the limited damage. He also requested that she do something about the smoking and errant cigarette butts and by the way, removal a propane tank in the basement and remove a propane gas grill from the second floor porch.

Pipe nightmare
July 16 – Just a half hour 'til midnight, Engine 1 and Ladder 1 arrived at a Bay State Road residence to investigate the report of natural gas in the house. Firefighters could smell a musty odor throughout the house but their gas detection devices reported normal readings on each level of the residence while the heating system and stove appear to be working properly. Then the homeowner said that maybe the source of the odor might be coming from her plumbing. She said she would call her plumber in the morning and have him check the piping.

Thanks for not telling us
July 17 – At a quarter 'til 7 p.m., firefighters were sent to Davis Road after a resident was having trouble igniting her stove. Personnel from Engine 1 investigated and discovered the gas meter to the building had been disconnected due to work being performed by National Grid. Firefighters called the Grid and asked them to talk to the occupant.

Wires fallin' everywhere
July 19 – Just before 4 p.m. (with the temperature reaching 102 degrees in Belmont) Engine 1 was sent to the corner of Oak Avenue and Spruce Street for a reported electrical wire down. Sure enough, there was an electrical wire on the ground. Belmont Light was notified and responded to the scene.

Bathroom fan sparks Winslow blaze
July 20 – at 5:20 p.m., the entire department were dispatched to a Winslow Road two-family to investigate a reported building fire. Belmont Police were on scene when the fire crews arrived helping the residents out. Engine 1 and Rescue 1 took the lead and all other companies staged at the ready. Turns out there was a fire and smokey condition on the third floor caused by a ceiling fan a blaze. Engine 2 provided a continuous water supply from the hydrant and two fire hoses were stretched by Rescue 1 and Engine 2 to the third floor. Ladder 1 made entry into the basement and disconnected the main power to the residence. The companies extinguished the fire and then performed ventilation and overhaul. The commander  at the scene requested that the wiring inspector respond to the scene and for the basic life service unit to evaluate the homeowner who stated that he attempted to put out the fire prior to the department's arrival. Firefighters reported that the fire was contained to the room of origin and no extension noted on all other floors. Power to the first and second floors was restored by the wiring inspector and the homeowner was informed not to flip on the power to the third floor until he contacted a qualified electrician to service his home. 

Work-related gas leak
July 20 – Around sunset (about 8:15 p.m.) fire crews were sent to Common Street for a natural gas leak by a local resident. Sure enough, you could smell the gas at the corner of Common and Fairmont streets. The department's gas meter went into alarm when placed near a pilot hole in the street where there was previous gas company work done. Engine 2 requested the gas company to head for the scene.