Somerville Fire Department

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Somerville Fire Department

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Official page for the Somerville, MA Fire Department. This account is not monitored 24/7.

10/16/2026

At 9:35 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, the Somerville Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center located at 2 North Street. Upon arrival, Engine 6 was notified of a fire in the basement and called for additional resources. Firefighters encountered heavy smoke on the basement level and discovered a burning lithium-ion battery powered skateboard. Hose lines were advanced into the building as firefighters also searched for occupants and opened windows for ventilation.

The fire originated inside a basement apartment. The basement sustained fire, smoke, and water damage, while the remainder of the building sustained smoke damage. Occupants were displaced Thursday night due to gas service being shut off at the building. Somerville Emergency Management, Inspectional Services, and Board of Health representatives responded to assist residents. Somerville Police provided transportation for those displaced to nearby hotels. One firefighter and one occupant suffered minor injuries.

Lithium-ion batteries pack a lot of power into a small device. Safety tips are available here: mass.gov/doc/lithium-ion-battery-safety/download

10/13/2026

On Monday, October 12 at 9:58 p.m., the Somerville Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from the one-story commercial building located at 129-131 Broadway.

Arriving fire companies encountered heavy smoke and heat coming from the basement. Firefighters initially stretched hose lines into the basement to attempt to find and extinguish the fire, however conditions inside the building continued to deteriorate and all firefighters were ordered to evacuate due to safety concerns. An exterior attack was then launched using three aerial ladders and numerous large diameter hoses. The first floor and roof of the building collapsed, which in addition to heavy smoke, made the fire difficult to extinguish. The fire ultimately took over 8 hours to fully extinguish.

Both the Rei Da Picanha restaurant and the Damata Barbershop are total losses. The Total Wireless store at #133 also sustained heavy damage as firefighters had to open the roof and pull down ceilings when the fire threatened to overrun a firewall. Other businesses, including the Santander Bank, sustained smoke damage.

Five Alarms were needed bringing crews from Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Revere, and Stoneham. Other cities covered Somerville fire stations. Two Somerville firefighters suffered electrical shocks while operating at the scene. They were transported to the hospital and later released. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

10/07/2026

National Fire Prevention Week is October 4-10, and this year’s theme is everyday charging habits that can help reduce the risk of lithium-ion battery fires. Lithium-ion batteries power everything from smartphones and laptops to scooters and electric vehicles.

Safe charging:
▪ Always use the battery, cord, and power adapter made specifically for the device.
▪ Plug chargers directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension cord.
▪ Don't overcharge devices.
▪ Charge devices on a hard, stable surface – never on a bed, couch, or pillow.
▪ Charge large items, like scooters, e-bikes, and power tools outside when possible. Be sure they do not block escape routes including doors, windows, and stairways.

Always read and follow manufacturer instructions for storage, use, and charging. Misused or defective batteries can cause serious fires. For more on lithium-ion battery safety, visit ow.ly/kpci50QHjRg or nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week

To see more fire safety tips and topics, visit mass.gov/fire-safety-for-the-public

10/06/2026

The Somerville Fire Department attended Tufts University's annual Community Day on Sunday, October 4. Firefighters staffed a table and talked with community members. SFD also supplied several fire apparatus as part of a Touch-A-Truck event.

Capt. Eric Saulnier and Firefighter Matt Kirylo are pictured with Mayor Jake Wilson and Councilor Will Mbah who stopped by the table to say hello.

10/05/2026

The Somerville Fire Department offers its condolences to the family and friends of retired Firefighter Frederick Carey, who passed away on October 3. Firefighter Carey was appointed on May 29, 1960 and retired on December 1, 1991.

10/02/2026

Somerville residents need your help. On Wednesday, September 30, a fire at 1137-1147 Broadway impacted 32 homes, and left 43 people displaced. Thankfully everyone made it out safely, but many lost everything.

From beds and food to clothes and basic necessities, these residents are facing the difficult task of starting over.

Please consider donating to the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Emergency Fund by visiting bit.ly/shcfund

Your support will provide immediate relief and help our neighbors begin to rebuild their lives. Every donation makes a difference. No donation is too small. Only financial donations are sought at this time.

10/01/2026

At 4:50 p.m. on September 30, firefighters from the Teele Square station notified Fire Alarm of a building fire at Curtis Street and Broadway. Firefighters heard a fire alarm sounding across the street from their station and noticed smoke coming from the third floor.

Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire conditions above the third-floor ceilings in the area known as a cockloft. This open, horizontal space allowed fire to travel the entire underside of the roof from 1137 to 1147 Broadway.

Five aerial ladders were extended to the roof to allow firefighter access to ventilate smoke and open holes in the roof to expose and extinguish spreading flames. Five Alarms were needed to bring the fire under control, bringing assistance from Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Belmont, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Revere, and Watertown. The Medford Fire Department also provided a drone, which allowed command staff to have a clear view of the roof operations and aided in keeping firefighters safe. Boston Sparks Association, Cataldo Ambulance, and the Salvation Army provided rehab for firefighters at the scene.

All occupants were able to evacuate the building safely. Several firefighters received minor injuries. At least two cats were located and removed to safety. The third floor and roof sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage, and the lower floors sustained extensive water damage. A total of 43 residents have been displaced and are being assisted. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

09/30/2026

The Somerville Fire Department offers its condolences to the family and friends of retired Firefighter Nicholas Pagliuca, who passed away on September 23. Firefighter Pagliuca was appointed on May 25, 1969 and retired on July 1, 2001.

09/24/2026

The Somerville Fire Department responded to a reported fire at 8-10 Park Street at 6:34 a.m. Thursday (9/24). Arriving fire companies encountered heavy fire conditions in the basement and all three upper floors of the house, which has been vacant for some time. The fire eventually burned through the roof, which collapsed. Firefighters were forced to evacuate the building when conditions became too unsafe to operate inside. Using multiple hose lines and aerial ladders, the fire was extinguished from the exterior.

Two firefighters suffered serious hand injuries and were transported to the hospital. A third firefighter suffered an ankle injury. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined and remains under investigation. Three alarms were ultimately sounded for the fire bringing mutual aid to the scene from Cambridge, Boston, Chelsea, and Medford.

09/17/2026

September is College Fire Safety Month. Not only is fire safety important for students living in dormitories, fraternities, or sororities, but also for those living in off-campus apartments. Take some time to think about fire safety as you settle into new housing and a new school year.

Always make sure your housing has smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When properly installed and maintained, they are essential life-saving devices. Massachusetts law requires landlords to provide working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test alarms and immediately notify your landlord if an alarm is missing, damaged, or not working.

Identify two ways out of your building and, when possible, two ways out of each room. Make sure these exits are always clear and free of clutter. If an alarm sounds, leave the building, stay outside, and call 911.

More fire safety tips for college students include:
▪ Never remove batteries or disable smoke or CO alarms. Do not hang things from sprinkler heads.
▪ Alcohol or drugs and fire don’t mix. Substances increase your chance of falling asleep while cooking or while a candle is lit. They can also limit your ability to react to an alarm.
▪ Charge phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, e-bike batteries, and other devices on a hard and stable surface – never a bed, couch, or pillow.
▪ Keep candles away from anything that can burn. Never leave a candle burning unattended or while you sleep.
▪ Don’t leave pots and pans unattended on a lit stovetop and keep flammable items away from burners.
▪ Never use an extension cord with appliances like an air conditioner or space heater. Don’t overload outlets.
▪ The only safe way to dispose of smoking materials outdoors is in a metal container of sand. Never toss smoking materials off a porch or out a window, never place them in a plastic or other combustible container, and never put them out in a potted plant.

Address

266 Broadway
Somerville, MA
02145

Website

http://somervillema.gov/fire

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