Hopedale, MA 3/6/25 – On Wednesday evening March 5th the Fire Department was dispatched to 230 Dutcher Street for a reported building fire. While enroute, the first due engine was advised that Hopedale Police reported that the exterior of the structure was on fire in the rear of the building. The first engine arrived and found the bulk of the fire knocked down by Hopedale Police Lt. Lima, who had used the fire extinguisher from his cruiser to extinguish most of the fire.

The first due-engine stretched an attack-line to the rear of the building and completed extinguishment and checked the interior of the structure for any fire extension, which there was none. There was, however, a moderate smoke condition in the attic of the structure, which was ventilated by HFD personnel. Under the direction of Deputy Chief McMorrow, FD personnel performed overhaul tasks by removing the vinyl siding of the area involved in the fire, as well as using thermal imaging cameras to look for heat signature to ensure the fire was out. Fire Department personnel and apparatus remained on scene for approximately one hour, continuously performing these tasks as well as investigating the cause. The fire was determined to be accidental, and the damage is estimated at $15,000.00.

The Hopedale Fire Department commends the swift action of Lt. Lima and his efforts to extinguish the fire. If not for his actions, the property damage could have been much worse.

In addition, it should be noted that an off-duty firefighter happened to be at the firehouse at the time of the alarm which allowed the first-due engine to have three (3) firefighters instead of the usual two (2) that are on duty. Having this additional firefighter aided in the reduction of property loss as the attack-line was put in place faster and fire department members were able to perform additional tasks to ensure the spread of the fire was contained to the area of origin.