Fire, Police respond to downtown apartment fire

Several residents were displaced — and one ended up in police custody — following a fire at a downtown apartment building on Saturday, April 9. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. at a two-story building on Washington Street.

Fire Lt. Tom Norton said responding firefighters observed smoke coming from a first-floor apartment and when they gained entry they found fire in the kitchen area. Firefighters from Engine 3 stretched an attack hose to the fire while crew members from Ladder 2 searched for residents on the second floor. Engine 4 also responded and stretched a fire hose to the second floor.

Norton said the crew from Engine 3 was able to breach a door from another apartment to rescue two dogs from their smoky apartment. The fire was contained to one unit and extinguished, and all occupants were able to escape unharmed. Firefighters from Sharon, Norwood, and Stoughton also assisted at the scene.

Deputy Police Chief Helena Rafferty said during the incident, one of the residents of the building, identified as Michael Bennett Harlan, 32, began acting erratically and was subsequently arrested for interfering with emergency operations and assaulting police and fire personnel. Harlan was charged with interfering with a police officer, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, defacement of property, assault and battery on ambulance personnel, and intimidating a witness.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 15 2022. Filed under News, Police & Fire. Both comments and pings are currently closed.