Whitman Fire Department Extinguishes House Fire on Chestnut Street

WHITMAN — Chief Timothy Clancy reports that the Whitman Fire Department extinguished an outside fire that extended to a house on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday, April 19, at approximately 3:14 p.m., Whitman Fire responded to a reported fire at 40 Chestnut St.

Units arrived under the command of Capt. Jay Mahoney to a two-story, multifamily house with smoke showing from the side of the house.

When crews arrived, the residents were attempting to extinguish a small outside fire that had extended to the house.

Crews stretched a 1 ¾-inch hoseline and quickly extinguished the fire.

Firefighters opened an interior wall but found no evidence of extension beyond the exterior wall sheathing. Additionally, there was no smoke or fire found on any other floors or in any other parts of the home.

The Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to assist Whitman Fire in the investigation.

The cause of the fire was determined to be improper disposal of smoking materials. Damages to the home are estimated at $50,000. No one was injured as a result of the fire, and the residents were not displaced.

The Abington Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene.

“Our crews did a tremendous job of quickly attacking this outside fire that spread to the house and preventing it from doing any damage inside,” Chief Clancy said. “We continue to see many fires caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials. Please be a responsible smoker and put out smoking materials completely and safely — every single time.”

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