UPDATE – Chief Christopher Coleman is thanking the community for its outpouring of support for residents impacted by Monday’s fire at 30 Juniper Road.
The Fire Department and town administration are now directing those who wish to assist with donation efforts to drop off gift cards only at the front desk of the Hockomock Area YMCA North Attleboro Branch, located at 300 Elmwood St. Donations will be accepted Monday to Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note that clothing and personal hygiene items are not being accepted at this time. Gift cards will be collected through Wednesday, May 20.
Gift cards collected by Our Open Umbrella were distributed at Wednesday’s recovery resource center. Further efforts to distribute any gift cards that have not yet been handed out will be distributed to residents by the Hockomock Area YMCA in partnership with Our Open Umbrella.
“The North Attleboro community once again demonstrated the true meaning of ‘Big Red’ pride, stepping up with overwhelming compassion, generosity, and support for neighbors in need. We cannot thank you enough,” said the chief.
Here’s the original story from earlier today:
NORTH ATTLEBORO – Fire Chief Christopher Coleman says the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is hosting a one-day recovery resource center at North Attleborough Middle School, 564 Landry Ave., from noon to 8 p.m. today, May 13.
All attendees are asked to enter the middle/high school complex via 1 Wilson W Whitty Way.
State agencies, alongside local community partners, will be on-site to connect those affected by the May 11 fire at 30 Juniper Road with available resources.
This event is only open to residents of 30 Juniper Road. Local first responders and state volunteers will be on the premises and will turn away anyone who is not a resident of 30 Juniper Road.
The town, states a release, thanks all of its community partners who have offered to collect and drop off donations; however, they are kindly asked not to visit the recovery resource center or drop off any items there.
Coleman reports that an air conditioning unit was the cause of the 7-alarm at 30 Juniper Road on Monday afternoon, May 11. At approximately 2:05 p.m. on Monday, the North Attleborough Fire Department received a report of a fire at the 34-unit, three-story condo complex. Investigators from the Fire Department and State Police assigned to the Massachusetts Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene to investigate the cause.
The preliminary investigation indicates the fire was not suspicious and was accidental. It is believed the fire originated in an air conditioning unit affixed to a condo unit’s wall.
The building, says Coleman, sustained significant damage and is uninhabitable.
Coleman, alongside a structural engineer and the town’s building inspector, visited the property Tuesday to determine the full extent of the damage and decide when residents may be able to safely enter the building to retrieve their personal items. The structural engineer and building inspector have determined that the ceilings in each unit must be removed, and that all debris must be removed from inside and around the building. This work is anticipated to be done over the course of the week. A subsequent inspection will then be conducted.
Once the building is cleared, the Fire Department, along with building management, will schedule a day for all residents to return and retrieve their belongings. The exact timing of this will be based on the complex’s building numbers and will be coordinated through the building’s management company. Firefighters will be present on this day to ensure the health and safety of all residents. Additional details regarding this day will be shared as they become available.
Those who need to contact building management may do so by calling 508-213-1580.
Coleman acknowledged the members of the Fire Department, mutual aid departments and public safety dispatchers.
On Monday Engine 1 with three firefighters, Engine 3 with two firefighters, Ladder 1 with three firefighters, and the shift commander were dispatched to the scene he said.
“Engine 1 made entry, forced the apartment door and encountered heavy black smoke, heat, and fire conditions,” he said. “Simultaneously, Engine 3 secured a water supply, Ladder 1 performed primary searches and vented the roof. At this point both ambulances were responding from the hospital as they were committed on other calls for service. First arriving firefighters battled extraordinary fire conditions until the arrival of mutual aid who provided additional water supply, hand lines, master streams and assistance with searches of this large apartment complex.”
That is just a quick snapshot of the responsibilities of the first arriving firefighters, said the chief.
“A fire doubles in size every 30-60 seconds and conditions change rapidly, which happened at this fire,” he said. “I commend our first-arriving firefighters and our off-duty members who were in the area and provided assistance getting handlines in place and conducted an aggressive interior attack with no injuries.”
Dispatchers navigated multiple radio channels, conducted PAR checks when the firefighters were ordered to evacuate the building, worked with the regional mutual aid dispatch, handled multiple mutual aid departments both responding to and covering the town, and navigated multiple other calls for service, he added.
“Thank you to all. Keep up the great work,” said the chief.
