Charlie Breitrose
On Dec. 22, Watertown firefighters responded to a reported fire in the kitchen of an apartment in a multi-unit residential building on Main Street.
The fire originated in the cooking area and extended into nearby cabinets, said Watertown Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson.
“Prior to the arrival of firefighters, the resident made a valiant attempt to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher,” Nicholson said. “When the fire could not be safely controlled, the resident evacuated the apartment and notified emergency services. No injuries were reported.”
Watertown Fire Department’s Group 4, under the command of Deputy Dan Tardif, arrived on the scene and quickly contained the blaze.
“Their prompt coordinated actions brought the fire under control and prevented extension to other areas of the apartment or to adjacent units within the building,” Nicholson said. “The fire was confined to the kitchen area of the apartment.”
An investigation found that the fire was accidental in nature. Fire crews ensured the building was safe before clearing the scene.
“Fire officials remind residents that cooking should never be left unattended, as it remains one of the leading causes of residential fires,” Nicholson said. “If a fire cannot be immediately and safely controlled, residents should evacuate and call 911 without delay.”