When Officer Jonathan Ciavattone, who works the South Norwood foot beat, arrived at this house fire on St. Joseph Avenue just ahead of Norwood Fire, he was told that not everyone was out. So he ran around back and began making his way up the outside stairway to the top floor where he found two people looking for their cat. They didn’t realize how intense the fire had gotten. Officer Ciavattone escorted them (and the cat) down the stairs and to a safe place. Norwood Fire arrived in no time and knocked the fire down. Good work by both departments.

At 9:30, nov. 23, last night HRECC alerted all Norwood Fire companies to a reported building fire on Saint Joseph Ave. While en route crews were advised by dispatch that multiple 911 calls were being received so a Walpole Engine was added to the response.

On arrival Captain Chris Campillio reported heavy fire showing from the top floor of a 3-story wood frame multiple family dwelling and ordered a working fire adding a Westwood Engine to the assignment.

Engine 5 deployed an 1 3/4” attack line up the rear stairs to the fire floor while simultaneously Engine 5’s chauffeur utilized half of the trucks 750 gallons of water and knocked the flames down utilizing the deck gun. Ladder 1 went to the roof to ventilate while Engine 4 established a water supply from a near by hydrant and NA-1 and 3s crews conducted primary searches. The Walpole Engine on their arrival stretched a second attack line and the Westwood Engine went to work overhauling and chasing fire extension.

Fire was found extending throughout the attic space so a 2nd alarm was ordered by Norwood Fire Chief Bailey bringing reserve Norwood Engine 3, a Sharon Engine, Norfolk Engine and Canton Ladder to the Fire. Crews worked for over 2 hours before the fire was placed under control. A fire watch was held on scene throughout the night out of an abundance of caution. 

While crews were committed to the Fire a Foxboro and Wrentham Engine along with a Dedham ladder provided station coverage. The Norwood Fire Dept would like to thank all of our outstanding mutual aid partners as well as The Providence Canteen for providing rehabilitation to crews on scene. We would also like to thank the Norwood Police Dept who prior to our arrival were able to ensure everyone had made it out safely as well as clear the street for arriving fire apparatus. There were no injuries to any occupants or firefighters. Norwood Fire Investigators are currently working to determine a cause and there is no damage total estimates at this time.