Bennett Rd. - 1986

Sturbridge Firefighters experienced an arson wave in 1986 that could have rivaled any City in the Commonwealth.  For about a three month period, business were being set on fire, two a night.  And just as those fires were starting to wane, a new wave of incendiary fires were being set in cottages along Leadmine Lake, in the far-reaching outskirts of Sturbridge.  But as always, in the face of adversity the members of the Sturbridge Fire Department rose to the occasion.   

                            (click on any thumbnail to enlarge photo)

A Sturbridge firefighter cools a propane tank as the well involved structure collapses.

FF Alan Brackett and FF Thomas Chamberland advance a hoseline towards the rear stairs of a heavily involved, wooden log home

Brookside Terrace - Southbridge, MA

Sturbridge firefighters responded to a call for mutual aid to the Town of Southbridge for a working fire in a housing project on the towns east side.  Upon arrival of the Southbridge FD, they found themselves overwhelmed by a rapidly progressing fire, and the report of an elderly woman who was confined to a wheel chair who was trapped in the fire apartment.  The fire continued to burn as first due crews concentrated on search and rescue.  The woman perished in the fire.  The fire began on floor one and spread upward until it reached the open cockloft area of the roof.  The fire totally destroyed the building.

Sturbridge firefighter are given the signal to evacuate the building.  Chief Leonard Senecal oversees the evacuation.

After taking a head count and regrouping, Sturbridge firefighters position and operate an exterior large diameter handline.

Gideon Ave.

Sturbridge FD responded to a house fire on Gideon Ave.  Upon arrival, crews found two neighbors on the back porch, shoveling snow into the building through the rear sliding glass doors.  They did control the fire in the dining room.

Firefighters seem to be getting a handle on things from the looks of the steam.

Captain Ed Bourassa and FF Ed Chamberland mask up in preparation of an aggressive interior attack.

Captain Bourassa and FF Chamberland begin their stretch into the building.