GLOUCESTER – (Video) The North Reading-Gloucester high school hockey game started about a half hour later than expected after the Talbot Rink was evacuated due to a fire at the connected O’Maley School. A fire was reported in the roof of the school over the boiler room at just before 6 p.m. Friday evening. Gloucester Fire Department crews, led by Incident Commander Deputy Fire Chief Steve Aiello, put out the fire in about 15 minutes, with the ladder truck pouring water a hose extended above the roof. No injuries were reported, the game was played (see related sports post) and the Gloucester Times is reporting school will resume on Tuesday as scheduled.
Gloucester Fire Department Extinguishes Fire at O’Maley Middle School
The Gloucester Fire Department extinguished a roof fire at the O’Maley Innovation Middle School last night. (Courtesy Photo) |
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GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department extinguished a roof fire at the O’Maley Innovation Middle School yesterday. Just before 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, the fire department received multiple calls reporting a fire at the O’Maley Innovation Middle School, located at 32 Cherry St. Upon arrival, firefighters saw flames coming from the roof of the school above the auditorium. Firefighters from Gloucester’s Bay View and Magnolia stations were called to assist firefighters already on scene from the West Gloucester and Headquarters stations. Crews were able to force entry into the school and quickly knock down the fire, containing most of the damage to the school’s roof. Crews remained on scene checking for fire extension. They determined that the fire had originated in the roofing material of the building due to an apparent lack of sufficient clearance and insulation around the vent pipe for the emergency generator. An initial investigation determined that heat from the vent pipe had caused the roofing materials to deteriorate over time. The heat created from the running generator combined with high winds at the time caused the fire to ignite. There was minimal damage to the school’s interior and school is expected to open as scheduled after the holiday break on Tuesday, Jan. 3. According to the Gloucester Assessor’s Department, damages are estimated to be $10,000. No injuries were reported. Firefighters from Rockport, Essex and Manchester provided coverage while Gloucester crews responded to the fire. “Cold and blustery conditions can make situations like these extremely dangerous,” Chief Smith said. “Thanks to the early detection by witnesses and the quick response from firefighters, we were able to quickly put this fire out with minimal damage to the school and no injuries.” |
