Firefighters’ efforts help save lives on Christmas Day

Canton firefighters helped save the lives of three residents and a pet at Woodfield Commons on Christmas Day. (CFD photo)

Fire Chief Charles Doody is commending the quick action and bravery of several Canton firefighters who worked to prevent a Christmas Day tragedy at the Woodfield Commons (formerly Arboretum) apartment complex off Route 138.

Responding to a fire in a basement apartment unit on the afternoon of December 25, firefighters were able to contain the damage to a single unit while likely saving the lives of three residents and a pet. “Both the human and property costs would have been much worse if not for the quick actions of Canton firefighters,” said Doody.

Firefighters initially received an alarm from the building and were alerted to a report of smoke via the Norfolk County Dispatch while en route to the property. Upon arrival, Fire Captain Ed Freitas noted a smoke condition and requested a working fire assignment, bringing additional apparatus from the Stoughton Fire Department and a Norwood engine to provide station coverage.

Doody said the Engine 4 crew from the Ponkapoag Station, consisting of Lt. John Hutchinson and firefighters Sean Fallon and Walter Dickie, were able to visually locate the fire in a basement unit through an apartment window. Firefighters forced the window open, awoke a sleeping resident and advised her to evacuate. They then re-entered the apartment and found two other residents sleeping, awoke them, and escorted them outside.

At the same time, firefighters from Engine 3, consisting of Lt. Greg Woodbury and firefighters Chris Whitley and Chuck Sudhalter, advanced a water hose line into the apartment and worked to extinguish the fire, which had been burning in the bathroom. A resident informed firefighters that a dog was still inside, and firefighters Keith Flavin and Michael Hache entered the building and located the dog under a bed and brought it outside to be reunited with its owners.

Doody said Canton’s newest firefighters, Austin McGonagle and Jason Becker, were also on the scene and assisted with tasks on the exterior.

Doody reported no injuries to residents or firefighters. The remainder of the building was still habitable and the one family that was displaced was able to stay with family members.

Doody said the apparent cause of the fire was unattended candles burning in the bathroom and damage to the apartment was estimated at $25,000.

Meanwhile, later that same day, Canton Engine 3 was again pressed into service as firefighters responded to a deadly house fire in Avon that claimed the lives of two men: a 70-year-old resident and his 28-year-old son. Several other occupants were able to escape the blaze and one young boy was treated for burns. Canton firefighters assisted in fire extinguishment operations and remained on scene until nearly midnight.

“I think we should recognize these men for their actions when most of us were fortunate enough to be at home with loved ones while they were working to keep people safe on Christmas,” Doody said.

For the week of December 24-30, Canton firefighters responded to a total of 84 service calls. In the previous week, on Thursday, December 20, EMS Coordinator Kevin Hurley reported one opioid-related call involving a 26-year-old male.

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