North Reading Fire Battles Two-Alarm Fire Overnight

NORTH READING — The North Reading Fire Department battled a two-alarm house fire overnight. 

On Monday, May 25 at about 11:32 p.m., the North Reading Fire Department was dispatched to 22 Wright St. for a report of a house fire, with flames having spread to the roof.

North Reading Engine 3 (Captain Sean O’Brien and Firefighters Chris Hadley and Matthew Enos) and Engine 1 (Lt. Jim Casaletto and Firefighters Carisma Michel and Chris McCann) arrived on scene within a minute of the initial call to find a heavy fire showing from the rear of the two-story, single-family home, prompting them to call a second alarm to bring additional personnel and resources to the scene. 

Engine 3 stretched a line to the rear of the home to begin fighting the flames, while Engine 1 crews searched the home for occupants.

No occupants were found in the home. Crews were able to get in contact with a family member of the homeowner, who confirmed that the family was away and the home was unoccupied. 

While the fire did not extend into the interior of the first and second floors, it had extended into the attic space through the home’s exterior structures. 

Crews were able to knock down the fire and prevent it from spreading into the interior. 

No injuries were reported. The home sustained significant damage and will require heavy rehabilitation efforts.

Mutual aid was provided by the Middleton, Wilmington, Lynnfield, Reading and Wakefield Fire Departments, as well as Armstrong Ambulance and Rehab 5. Tewksbury and Andover Fire provided station coverage. 

The fire is being investigated by North Reading Fire and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. 

“I would like to recognize the effort of all crews in fighting this fire. Our first arriving companies did an excellent job knocking down the fire and preventing it from further spreading into the home,” said Chief Don Stats. “North Reading’s recent increase in staffing allowed for multiple companies to be dispatched on the initial alarm and perform multiple tasks immediately, leading to a better outcome.”