Third Middleboro fire in less than 48 hours jumps across two buildings

Published Jan 15, 2021 

MIDDLEBORO – The Middleboro Fire Department extinguished a fire that had spread across two buildings on Wareham Street Thursday night, Chief Lance Benjamino said.

It was the third structure fire in Middleboro in two days, including two on Wareham Street.

All occupants were able to safely exit before first responders arrived, the chief said. Two families were displaced from one of the buildings. No injuries were reported.

"This was the third significant fire Middleboro Fire Department has responded to in two days," Benjamino said. "Thankfully no injuries have resulted, and we've been able to call on several departments in the area to support our firefighting efforts."

The other fires occurred at around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday at 530 Wareham St. and at around 9 p.m. Wednesday at 2 Montello St.

At approximately 5:53 p.m. Thursday, the Middleboro Fire Department received several 911 calls about a fire at 9 Wareham St. Upon arrival at the scene the shift commander reported that the fire at the 3-story multi-family dwelling at 9 Wareham St. had spread to the adjacent 2 1/2 story mixed-use building at 7 Wareham St., according to a written statement from the fire department.

Due to the age of the building, which dates to the 1800s, the aggressive fire quickly extended through all three floors of 9 Wareham St. and into the second and third floors of 7 Wareham St., jumping across the 10 to 15-foot gap between the two buildings via the vinyl siding and soffit, the fire department said.

Firefighters attacked the flames at both buildings for nearly three hours.

The fire was knocked out at 7 Wareham St. first and was completely extinguished at 9 Wareham St. around 8:50 p.m.

Two families were displaced from 9 Wareham St. Both buildings sustained significant damage, and 9 Wareham St. is uninhabitable, Benjamino said.

Mutual aid at the scene was provided by the Carver, Bridgewater, Wareham, East Bridgewater, Plympton and Halifax fire departments.

The cause remains under investigation by the Middleboro Fire Department and State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) also responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.