January 2008 Summary

January 2008 Summary

The first month of the new year got the Bedford Fire Department off to a fast start.

Chemical container explodes while rescue efforts for youths were underway across town
Group 1 had a very busy afternoon on January 18. While Engine 1 and Rescue 2 were working with the Bedford Police Department attempting to rescue 4 juveniles lost in the White Cedar Swamp, a 55-gallon drum exploded in an industrial building on Crosby Drive--the opposite side of town. Ladder 1 responded with a mutual aid engine from Burlington to the industrial accident, which was initially received as a fire alarm activation. The youths were located as the sun was setting with no serious injuries (click here for related story), and there were no injuries and only minor damage on Crosby Drive.

Coverage provided during 2-alarm structure fire in Billerica
Group 4 responded to Billerica for a mutual aid coverage assignment on January 24. Billerica firefighters were busy fighting a 2-alarm house fire that left the residence uninhabitable. Engine 1 responded to a medical emergency while providing station coverage at Billerica Fire Headquarters.

Bedford assists Westford firefighters with HazMat incident
On January 25, Group 2 responded with Engine 3, Forestry 1, and the Hazardous Materials trailer to assist the Westford Fire Department with a heating oil spill into a river.