SUDBURY — The Sudbury Fire Department was able to contain and extinguish a structure fire at a shopping plaza Tuesday morning, thanks to a quick response by a firefighter working nearby.
On Tuesday, Aug. 12, at about 7:09 a.m., Sudbury Fire was dispatched to a shopping plaza at 439 Boston Post Road for report of fire and smoke. At the time, a Sudbury firefighter was working a safety detail on the opposite side of the building where welding work was about to begin. The firefighter and the construction workers were able to get a ladder and fire extinguishers to the area on fire to contain it and prevent it from spreading further.
The Department took over operations and contained the fire to a small area in the roof. The scene was cleared at about 9 a.m., within two hours of the initial report.
Only one store in the plaza was open at the time of the incident. The store was evacuated as a precaution, but later reopened. There was no extensive damage to the structure or any stores.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The welding operations had not commenced yet and the welding worksite was not near the area of the fire.
The Sudbury Health and Building Departments responded, and the Fire Departments of Framingham, Maynard and Lincoln provided station coverage.
“The instincts of our firefighter and the effective use of fire extinguishers played a significant role in making sure this fire did not spread and cause more damage,” said Chief Timothy Choate. “Using a fire extinguisher effectively can be key in the early moments of a fire to prevent it from getting larger. I encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with how to use a fire extinguisher.”
To use a fire extinguisher effectively, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends using the acronym “PASS”:
- Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
- Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
For more information on fire extinguisher use, visit here.
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