NORTH ATTLEBORO - Fire Chief Chris Coleman described a fire Monday afternoon that left dozens of residents homeless as the worse he’s seen with his 30 years in the department.
Thick black smoke could be seen from miles away and the intensity of the fire required mutual aid from a number of area communities including those in Rhode Island.
Coleman held a press conference less than 24 hours after the fire to update members of the media on the details of the fire, response and investigation.
Click the first video below to watch the chief provide the details.
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.
Missing pets found
North TV was on the scene Tuesday afternoon when firefighters removed some items.
They also conducted a search for missing animals. Two were found in one condominium and brought down to animal control officer Stephanie Mitchell.
There were still four pets missing as of Friday morning.
Union calls for additional firefighters
North Attleborough Firefighters PFFM Local 1992 issued a statement on the union’s Facebook page Tuesday morning.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone impacted by yesterday’s devastating 7-alarm fire on Juniper Road. While the smoke has cleared, there is a reality that must be addressed: Our department, along with our mutual aid partners, are operating at a dangerously thin margin."
"Yesterday, the men and women of D Platoon were forced to face every firefighter’s worst nightmare. With two ambulances already tied up at the hospital, just nine personnel arrived on the initial scene of a mult-unit structure fire. These nine individuals did the work of thirty. They battled not just the flames, but the exhaustion of being severely under-staffed. To see what they accomplished with such limited manpower is a testatment to their grit, their training, and their unwavering commitment to this town."
"The politics of staffing don’t change the physics of fire, but they certainly change the risks our members take."
"Despite being stretched to the breaking point, Local 1992 will continue to show up. We will continue to put our lives on the line for you, regardless of the numbers on the roster or the debates at Town Hall. To the men and women of D Platoon: Your actions yesterday were a masterclass in professional bravery. Huge thank you to our mutual aid partners who flooded in to boost our lines: We quite literally could not have done this without you.”
Coleman was asked by a Providence television reporter about comments from crews at the scene that they were thinly staffed, at least at the initial moments of the fire.
Click the second video below to watch his response.
North TV will have additional details about Monday’s fire, staffing and more in the coming weeks.
