10/31/2026
PRESS RELEASE
Incident Commander: Chief Michael McQuillen
Incident Number: 26BER-742-IN
Date & Time of Incident: 10/30/2026 at 10:43 AM
Incident Location: 16 South Street Berlin, MA 01503
Berlin Fire Department Responds to Garage Fire on South Street
On Friday, October 30, 2026, at approximately 10:43 AM Nashoba Valley Regional Emergency Communications Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a structure fire at 16 South Street in Berlin.
At the time of the initial dispatch, the on-duty crew and 6C were committed to a medical
emergency elsewhere in town, leaving the Fire Chief (6C) as the only immediately available
responder. All off-duty and call members were requested to respond, along with automatic
mutual aid from a Hudson Engine and a Boylston Tanker.
Due to the multiple 911 calls and reports of heavy black smoke visible from Pleasant Street, 6C
requested a working fire assignment while responding.
Upon arrival, 6C confirmed a fully involved detached garage, approximately 30 feet by 40 feet, with fire extending into the wooded area behind the structure. Berlin Engine 1 arrived shortly thereafter, and multiple hose lines were deployed as firefighters began suppression operations.
Responding Berlin units included Engine 1, Tanker 1, Truck 6, Ambulance 1, Car 2, and Car 3.
Additional mutual aid resources included: Bolton Engine and Tanker, Boxborough Tanker, Clinton Engine, Harvard Engine and Tanker, Marlborough Ladder, Northborough Engine, Coastal Ambulance/Hudson P1, and Lancaster, Engine, which provided station coverage.
The fire was declared knocked down and contained at approximately 10:56 a.m. Firefighters continued overhaul operations to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and the area was safe. South Street was completely closed to traffic during fire operations. Berlin Memorial School was notified of the incident and road closure. Once conditions allowed, the roadway was reopened to pedestrian traffic. Parking was made available at the Town Offices for parents who needed to access the school.
The District 8 Fire Investigation Unit was requested and responded to investigate the cause and origin of the fire, including a Berlin Fire Lieutenant assigned to the unit. The fire remains under investigation by District 8 Fire Investigators, Berlin Fire, and the Berlin Police Department.
A local contractor was also requested to the scene with an excavator to assist investigators and remove heavily damaged portions of the structure to ensure the area could be made safe.
No civilian or Firefighter Injuries were reported.
The Berlin Fire Department would like to thank the Berlin Police Department and Berlin
Highway Department for their assistance at the scene, with traffic control and road closures.
We also extend our appreciation to Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch for their, all mutual aid
departments and agencies for their prompt response and assistance during this incident.
Finally, we thank the residents of Berlin and the Berlin Memorial School community for their
patience, understanding, and cooperation while emergency personnel worked to contain and
extinguish the fire.
