Two “suspicious” fires at a former college are being investigated as arson, as officers ask the general public for assist in the investigation.
The fires on the former Fernald College campus in Waltham this month may be associated to latest fires in January and final December, in response to fireplace officers.
“We are asking anyone with information on recent fires on the Fernald grounds to share it with investigators,” mentioned Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell.
“There have been four fires in that area since December,” the chief added. “These incidents are dangerous, and we’re deeply concerned that someone is going to be hurt.”
Within the early morning hours of April 19, the Waltham Hearth Division responded to 200 Trapelo Highway for a report of a hearth. Firefighters discovered heavy fireplace in two buildings – one generally known as the Schoolhouse/Fitness center and the opposite the Guide Coaching Constructing.
The incident went to 4 alarms, drawing mutual help corporations from a number of close by departments. Firefighters battled the flames for greater than 6 hours earlier than they had been lastly extinguished.
Investigators from the Waltham Hearth Division, Waltham Police Division, and State Police Hearth & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Hearth Marshal’s workplace imagine the fires had been set deliberately and individually.
“These buildings were vacant, but any structure fire is inherently dangerous,” mentioned Waltham Hearth Chief Andrew Mullin. “Firefighters confronted heavy smoke and flames venting out the home windows.
“They were present when the roof of one building collapsed and the first floor of another collapsed into the basement,” the chief added. “First responders, curious onlookers, and even the person or persons responsible could have been injured or worse.”
Investigators imagine the April 19 fires might be associated to 2 others on the Fernald grounds in latest months. One was reported within the early night of Dec. 14 on the Chapel of the Holy Innocents, inflicting minor harm.
The opposite was reported within the late morning of Jan. 18 at Chipman Corridor, inflicting catastrophic harm that included a roof collapse. Just like the April 19 fires, each of those fires occurred on Saturdays.
“If you were in the area of the Fernald School on these dates and saw anything suspicious, or if you have specific information on the person or persons responsible, please share it with investigators at 1-800-682-9229,” mentioned State Hearth Marshal Jon Davine. “You can remain anonymous if you prefer. What’s most important right now is that these fires stop before someone gets hurt.”
The Arson Watch Reward Program is coordinated by the Massachusetts Property Insurance coverage Underwriting Affiliation, and affords rewards of as much as $5,000 for data that solves, detects, or prevents arson crimes.
