09/14/2017 - WHITMAN, MASSACHUSETTS (PLYMOUTH COUNTY) - Around 0120 hours on the morning of Thursday, September 14, 2017 the Whitman Fire Department was alerted to a reported building fire at 53 Blake Street. The box was struck and Engine-243, Ladder-246, Car-3 and an automatic mutual aid engine from Abington responded. Companies arrived to find heavy fire showing from a two and a half wood framed occupied dwelling. All occupants were reported out of the building upon the arrival of the fire department. A Blitz gun was immediately stretched and put into operation to knock down the heavy fire on the A and D sides of the house. A working fire was requested by Deputy Chief Joseph Feeney, followed soon there after by a second alarm. Crews stretched multiple hand lines knocking the heavy fire on the outside of the structure before making entry with hand lines to work the inside of the house. Crews were able to knock down the majority of the fire within approximately 45-minutes. They continued to chase hot spots and knock down hidden pockets of fire for several hours. A third alarm was struck for relief purposes, bringing crews in from across Plymouth County to assist both on-scene and for station coverage. Mutual aid was provided from Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Hanover, Rockland, and West Bridgewater. Units responded to the scene, as well as station coverage. The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services rehab unit, as well as the Whitman CERT Rehab unit responded to the scene to assist firefighters who worked the stubborn blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries were reported.
