Whitman Fire Department Responds to Shed Fire

WHITMAN — Fire Chief Timothy Clancy reports that the Whitman Fire Department responded after a previous outside  permit fire rekindled on Thursday afternoon, igniting nearby brush and spreading to a toolshed which burned down.

Firefighters responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday for a report of a fire outside 491 Harvard St.

The fire was extinguished quickly by Whitman Firefighters, but the shed was a complete loss. A Whitman Fire investigation determined that the fire was accidental in nature, caused by the rekindling of the permit fire. Firefighters remained on scene for more than an hour ensuring that the fire was fully saturated, and the area was safe.

Whitman Police and members of the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist. Station coverage during the fire was provided by the Hanson Fire Department. 

Chief Clancy reminds all residents of these important permit fire safety guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services:

• Fires Must Be Attended Until Extinguished: An adult must attend the fire until it is completely extinguished.
• Have Fire Control Tools Handy: Have fire extinguishing materials on hand including a water supply, shovels and rakes. The water supply can be a pressurized water fire extinguisher, a pump can or a garden hose. Test the water source before igniting the fire. You do not want to find out that the water is off or that the hose is cracked when you need it.
• Watch the Wind and Be Prepared to Extinguish All Open Burning: Be prepared to extinguish the fire if winds pick up or the weather changes. Use common sense. Don’t wait for the fire department to contact you to say that it  has become unsafe to burn. Most open burning gets out of control during a sudden wind change.
• Call for Help Immediately: If a fire gets out of control, call the fire department immediately. Use the utmost caution to prevent injury to yourself and others or any fire damage to your home.

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