For Immediate Release

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Gloucester Fire Department Battles Brush Fire

GLOUCESTER — Fire Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department quelled a two-alarm brush fire yesterday, encompassing six acres of land.

On April 17, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the Gloucester Fire Department received a report of a fire in the area of 16 Wheeler St.

Firefighters arrived on scene and found that brush was ablaze and spreading toward houses on Wheeler St. Brush near Riverview Road, Ferry Street and Washington Street was also on fire.

Incident Commander Deputy Chief Andrew McRobb called in a second alarm to bring in additional manpower to quickly get the fire under control.

The Rockport Fire Department responded to the scene, along with a Massachusetts forestry crew, Rehab Five and Beauport Ambulance. The Essex, Wenham and Hamilton Fire Departments, and Gloucester call-back personnel, covered the Gloucester fire stations.

Firefighters brought the fire under control at 2:45 p.m. and continued wetting hot spots for an additional two hours. Crews remained on the scene until 5:46 p.m. Over the course of the fire, approximately 55 fire personnel were on scene.

A Gloucester firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated and released at the scene.

“This was a large-scale brush fire that required a lot of manpower and an aggressive attack,” Chief Smith said. “Due to firefighters’ efforts, we were able to prevent extension to nearby homes. I commend everyone involved for their hard work.”

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Gloucester Fire Department.

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