Dunstable Fire Department Extinguishes Two-Alarm Fire in Commercial Building

DUNSTABLE — Chief William Farrell reports that the Dunstable Fire Department and mutual aid partners extinguished a two-alarm structure fire in a large commercial building on Tuesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, May 23, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Dunstable Fire Department was notified by a 911 call of a fire with a possible explosion in a commercial facility at 41 Lowell St.

The first companies on scene found smoke and fire showing from the roof and exterior walls. Chief Farrell struck a second alarm to bring additional manpower to the scene.

There are no fire hydrants in the area, so companies had to stretch several hundred feet of hose line from a nearby pond to establish a reliable water supply. Crews initially attacked the fire from outside of the building, which was closed and not occupied at the time of the fire. Crews later gained access and attacked the fire from inside the structure until the building’s roof became compromised and in danger of collapse. 

There were no reported injuries.

The building suffered extensive damage to its roof and attic space. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Dunstable Fire Department, with assistance from the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Firefighters from Pepperell, Groton, Tyngsborough, Townsend, Westford, Ayer, and Hudson, Hollis and Nashua, New Hampshire provided mutual aid at the scene. PrideStar EMS also responded.

Firefighters from Ayer covered Dunstable stations. 

“Companies did a great job establishing a water supply and knocking this fire down before damage was even more extensive,” said Chief Farrell. “I would like to thank all of our mutual aid support on this fire as well. Their assistance was invaluable.”