Firefighters respond to two serious house fires

By Canton Citizen

Within days, Canton firefighters — with help from neighboring towns — battled two house fires: one at 1842 Washington Street on Wednesday, March 16, and the other on Monday afternoon, March 21, at 119 Pecunit Street.

No one was in either home at the time of the fire and no firefighters were injured. Both fires, which were called in to police by passing motorists, remain under investigation.

The fires caused traffic disruptions, with the more serious at 1842 Washington Street, which began around 4 p.m., the beginning of the rush hour at a normally congested location. Traffic was detoured on both sides of Washington Street near Wentworth Road for a few hours until firefighters had knocked down the fire and investigators began the probe.

Fire Lt. Tom Driscoll said that when firefighters arrived at 1842 Washington Street, they found a large amount of fire on the first floor and called in a second alarm. Firefighters from Stoughton, Norwood, and Sharon assisted and Westwood covered the stations. In all, 27 firefighters were on the scene. The fire was knocked down within 45 minutes, Driscoll said, adding that firefighters remained on the scene for four and half hours. He estimated damage around $150,000 and said the house is not habitable. Driscoll noted that the building inspector would determine whether the house should be knocked down. Driscoll said there were a lot of personal belongings in the house, making it more difficult for firefighters to maneuver. As of Tuesday morning, he said firefighters had pinpointed the origin of the fire to the first floor rear of the house.

The fire on the corner of Pecunit Street — where it intersects Raven Road — occurred at 12:25 p.m. Firefighters found heavy fire on the first floor and have pinpointed the origin to the living room. Seventeen Canton firefighters responded to the fire, with Norwood firefighters covering the two Canton stations. Damage was estimated to be $100,00 and the house is currently not habitable, Driscoll said, noting that firefighters had to connect 900 feet of hose to the nearest fire hydrant.