Canton Fire Dept. responds to home explosion

It was a busy Saturday afternoon for Canton firefighters last weekend as crews responded to mutual aid calls for two fires in Stoughton, most notably a residential fire on Central Street near Cobb’s Corner in which several oxygen tanks exploded in the home.

Acting Deputy Chief Ed Freitas (left) is pictured at the Central St. fire. (Stoughton Fire Dept. photo)

There were no reported injuries, but the Central Street home was deemed a total loss, according to Canton Fire Lt. John Hutchinson.

Two adults and two children were displaced, and a family pet was lost in the fire. Volunteers from the Red Cross were on scene to assist the family.

Canton firefighters from Engine 3 first responded to an apartment fire on Wheeler Circle at approximately 2:30 p.m. and assisted in evacuating residents of nearby units. At around 2:40 p.m., the Stoughton Fire Department requested the Canton engine respond to the Central Street fire.

The fire grew to four alarms and Stoughton requested an additional engine from Canton, with off-duty personnel being called in to staff the Canton stations. Crews were in Stoughton for approximately four hours.

Acting Canton Deputy Chief Ed Freitas responded to both fires. In all, firefighters from 11 area communities responded to the Central Street fire.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. Fire officials said the explosions were likely fueled by the oxygen tanks that were left in the home by a previous occupant. The fire also destroyed a car in the driveway. The electrical service to the house fell on the car and National Grid was called in to extinguish it.

Canton police were also called to assist with traffic in the Cobb’s Corner area.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Feb 24 2023. Filed under News, Police & Fire. Both comments and pings are currently closed.