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Fire Chief Scott Lachance reports that the cause of the three-alarm fire on March 2 has been ruled by the Attleboro Fire Investigation Unit as accidental.
On Monday, March 2, Attleboro firefighters responded to a home at 15 Virginia Meadows Drive at 11 p.m. for a house fire. Seven residents escaped the house prior to firefighters’ arrival. The house was a total loss.
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Fire Chief Scott Lachance reports that the Attleboro Fire Department extinguished a three-alarm fire late Monday night.
At approximately 11 p.m., Monday, March 2, firefighters responded to a reported building fire at 15 Virginia Meadows Drive. Upon arrival, crews found heavy flames exiting all windows and began an aggressive attack.
The seven residents of the home had escaped safely prior to firefighters’ arrival.
The fire was was under control by around midnight Tuesday.
The house was a total loss and the seven residents have been displaced as a result of the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting them with finding temporary housing.
Firefighters from the Norton Fire Department responded to the scene to provide mutual aid. Crews from Pawtucket, Rhode Island and North Attleboro Fire Departments provided station coverage.
Two Attleboro firefighters suffered non-life threatening injuries battling the fire and were hospitalized. Both are expected to be okay.
The Attleboro Fire Department is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
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by Matthew Reid
ATTLEBORO — Fire Chief Scott Lachance would like to remind residents that they should call National Grid at 800-465-1212 to report power outages in their home or neighborhood, as heavy winds are expected throughout the city for several hours Friday evening.
Attleboro and many of the surrounding communities have been dealing with power outages since approximately 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, due to strong winds and heavy rain hitting the area.
According to the National Weather Service, a wind advisory remains in effect for Attleboro and all of Bristol County until 10 p.m. Friday, with possible wind gusts reaching 45 miles per hour.
“It is important that residents never touch or approach downed power lines, and use caution on the roads when driving in such a storm,” Chief Lachance said.
According to National Grid’s Massachusetts Power Outage Map, nearly 2,600 customers in the Attleboro/Norton area were without power, as of 6:30 p.m. Friday. Power was estimated to be restored to all customers by 9:30 p.m., but customers should check the Report or Check an Outage page on the National Grid website for more specific restoration information.
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Burning permits from previous seasons do not carry over from year-to-year. All residents need to re-apply for a permit and can do so by visiting the South Attleboro Fire Station located at 1476 West St., to fill out the required paperwork. Residents who wish to acquire a permit will be required to pay a $10 fee.
Once residents get their permits, they will be given a phone number to call and instructions about calling to confirm whether burning is permitting on a particular day.
Residents must carry out their burning between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and no fires can be started after noon. Burning must be done at least 75 feet away from buildings and be attended to at all times.
Outdoor burning is only permitted for brush, cane, driftwood, forestry debris from other than commercial or industrial land clearing for new non-agricultural purposes. Burning brush, trees, cane and driftwood from commercial and/or industrial land clearing grass purposes is prohibited. Burning grass, hay, leaves, stumps, tires, plastic and trash are prohibited as well.
Violations of the permit requirements, open burning law and/or open burning regulations will be grounds for permit revocation. According to the law, residents who are found to be violating these rules may be punished by a fine of no more than $100, by imprisonment for up to one month, or both.
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On Feb. 23, An Act Requiring the Hands-Free Use of Mobile Telephones While Driving will go into effect prohibiting drivers from using cellphones and other hand-held devices while operating a vehicle. There will be a grace period through March 31 in which drivers will get a warning for their first violation rather than a fine.
“The Attleboro Fire Department responds to numerous accidents involving distracted drivers throughout the year,” said Chief Lachance. “Many times these accidents are caused by drivers using their cellphones. We’re looking forward to having less people using their phones while driving, which will lead to safer roadways throughout our community.”
The law states that no motor vehicle operator may use electronic devices while driving unless the technology is being used hands-free. Operators found to be texting, dialing phone numbers or using a phone with their hands in any capacity while driving will be fined.
Operators are permitted to use hands-free technology including Bluetooth, “single tap or swipe” to activate or deactivate hands-free mode, navigation technology mounted to the car’s dash and phone use in emergency situations. Drivers may use their phones if they are stationary and not in an active traffic lane.
The penalty for drivers who are found guilty of violating the hands-free law is a $100 fine for a first offense, a $250 fine for a second offense and a $500 fine for a third or subsequent offense. Operators who commit a second or subsequent offense are also required to complete an educational program focused on distracted driving prevention. A third or subsequent violation will count as a surchargeable incident which can affect the driver’s insurance rates.
The act also includes a requirement that law enforcement agencies report data on violations. The data collected by law enforcement will be available to the public.
The law does not apply to first responders who are on duty and driving emergency service vehicles.
The Attleboro Fire Department exists to serve the community by providing a team of highly‐trained, compassionate, professional first responders dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of life and protection of property. We provide this assistance utilizing a comprehensive all‐hazards approach that includes fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention, emergency medical services, and public education.
Attleboro Fire Department
Chief Scott T. Lachance
100 Union Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
Email: [email protected]