Bridgewater Police Officer Alerts Residents, Three Escape Early Morning Two-Alarm House Fire

*Click here to download the 911 call audio.*

BRIDGEWATER — Fire Chief John Schlatz and Police Chief Christopher D. Delmonte report that three residents and two cats were safely evacuated from a two-alarm house fire early Friday morning after a passerby called 911 and a police officer alerted them to the danger.

On Friday, April 10, at approximately 1:23 a.m., the Bridgewater Fire Department and Bridgewater Police Department received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 7 Crescent St., which is next door to the police station.

Officer Marc-Stephen Hutchins arrived on scene and observed flames coming from the front of the garage. The 911 caller, Jamie Marie Sheridan, who had stopped after noticing the fire while driving by with Eduardo Alvarenga, told Officer Hutchins she had knocked on the door but was unable to alert anyone inside.

Officer Hutchins then knocked on the door and was able to wake one of the residents. After learning that two other people were still inside the home, Officer Hutchins entered the residence and alerted the other residents as smoke began filling the home. All three residents exited the home safely.

One resident told Officer Hutchins that two cats were still inside. Officer Hutchins helped locate both cats, placed them in a carrier and assisted the residents as they evacuated.

Additional police officers and firefighters arrived shortly afterward. Fire crews encountered heavy flames engulfing the garage and multiple vehicles, prompting a second alarm to bring additional resources to the scene.

Bridgewater firefighters and mutual aid partners initiated an aggressive exterior attack on the side of the building where flames were most intense, while other crews entered the opposite side of the home to prevent the fire from spreading further.

During the fire, multiple gas containers reportedly exploded inside the garage. The garage ultimately collapsed, complicating firefighting operations.

One Bridgewater firefighter sustained a minor injury at the scene but did not require medical attention. No other injuries were reported.

Mutual aid was provided at the scene by the West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Middleborough, Halifax, Easton, Brockton, Raynham and Taunton Fire Departments. The Halifax Fire Department provided the Rapid Intervention Team during the fire.

The Lakeville Fire Department provided station coverage at Bridgewater Fire Department Headquarters during the incident, while the Hanson Fire Department covered Station No. 2.

The Department of Fire Services’ Rehab Unit also responded to the scene, and the Bridgewater Department of Public Works assisted with on-scene overhaul.

The cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious, but remains under investigation by the Bridgewater Fire Department, Bridgewater Police Department Detectives and the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“Our firefighters arrived to find heavy fire in the garage and quickly went to work to keep it from spreading throughout the entire home,” said Chief Schlatz. “Thanks to the quick alert from the public, the quick actions by police and the coordinated response from our crews and mutual aid partners, everyone was able to get out safely, and no one was hurt.”

“This situation could have turned out much differently if not for the quick actions of several people,” said Chief Delmonte. “Jamie Marie Sheridan and Eduardo Alvarenga stopped after seeing the fire, called 911 and tried to alert the residents, and Officer Hutchins immediately stepped in to make sure everyone got out safely. Their actions made a real difference.”

Bridgewater Fire command cleared the scene at 9:27 a.m.

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