Beverly Fire Department

Firefighters from Engine’s 1 and 5 battled a fire that was raging in a 30 yard dumpster in the driveway of 21 Riverview St. Engine 1 was initially dispatched to the fire but Captain James Maggiacomo saw a significant plume of smoke and flames in proximity to the residence and requested additional resources.

The fire burned so intensely that the power and phone lines that stretched from a pole across the street to the house were burned through dropping live power lines to the ground. Once the water from the fire suppression effort reached the down power line, a loud bang resulted from the lines shorting out. Trees next to the dumpster were also burning. The house, which was roughly 15 feet behind the dumpster, was protected from the flames by hose lines working on the fire and there was no extension to the home.

Crews from Engine 1 and 5 worked for approximately an hour to completely extinguish the flames that were deep seated into the dumpster contents. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The damage was confined to the dumpster and the power lines.

National Grid responded to the scene to secure the power and ensure electrical safety.

The dumpster was full of construction debris and household materials.

5/23/2008

One person was transported to an area hospital for injuries as a result of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Cabot and Conant Streets.

The accident occurred when two vehicles collided leaving one with heavy front end damage and a second on its roof. Both operators were able to exit their vehicles but the driver of the car with the front end damage was taken to the hospital. The driver of the pickup truck that was found on its roof did not complain of any injuries and refuse medical treatment.

Engine 5 remained on scene for approximately 45 minutes while the vehicles were removed.

05/20/2008

Defibrillator Donation

The Beverly Fire Department is proud to announce the placement of another defibrillator in the City of Beverly. Through a donation by North East Regional Ambulance service, an Automated Defibrillator was placed in service at the River House.  Mayor William Scanlon, Fire Chief Richard Pierce, Beverly Fire Emergency Medical Services Coordinator Scott Steeves, Scott Moore and Brian Capanegro of North East Regional Ambulance, and John Archer of the River House Shelter were on hand for the donation.

“We have roughly 25 residents on hand and 5 single room occupancies” said John Archer. “We are able to provide a meal every night with the help of donations and volunteers” he continued.

The building itself is steeped in history. It was a fire house in the 1700’s century housing a hose wagon that could be brought by firefighters to the scene of a fire. In the 1900’s century it was home to a local union hall for workers at United Shoe Machinery Corp. In the late 1990’s the building was moved from Rantoul St. to its present location at 56 River St.

The addition of the defibrillator provides a means for early defibrillation in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. Early defibrillation is key to a victim’s survival.

The Beverly Fire Department will provide defibrillator training to workers and volunteers at the River House.