Wakefield MA Fire Department

Wakefield Fire Department Open House October 10, 2026 -10AM-2PM All Are Welcome - Please Stop By and See Us 🇺🇸

WCAT Video Coverage of the Town of Wakefield's 911 Ceremony 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

https://youtu.be/hR-UgFOBzbs?is=jC-5ptH7xi9JE8Im

NEVER FORGET 🇺🇸🙏🏻🇺🇸

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Saugus Fire Department and Lieutenant Drella's Family. 🙏 🇺🇸🙏

Fire Department Battled Six-Alarm Blaze on Foundry Street
Wakefield News
Posted on August 08, 2026

At approximately 3:01 p.m. yesterday, August 7, the Wakefield Fire Department received a 911 transfer call from Police reporting smoke, fire, and blackened windows at a one-story vacant commercial structure located at 102 Foundry Street in Wakefield. The Wakefield Fire Department's first arriving companies had fire and smoke showing on arrival and declared a working fire. A second alarm was struck by Shift Commander Captain Mike Long at 3:05 p.m. and a third alarm was subsequently struck by Deputy Chief John Walsh at 3:10 p.m.

The structure involved was a 100’ x 200’ one-story, vacant commercial building. Operations quickly ordered all companies to exterior defensive operations, and the structure was attacked using large appliances and master streams. Wakefield Fire Chief Thomas M. Purcell assumed command of the incident and six alarms were eventually needed to control and extinguish the stubborn fire.

Several small explosions occurred during operations, and multiple exposures were in danger of igniting, but crews were able to contain the fire to the building of origin. Commuter rail trains on the Haverhill line were shut down by command as companies set up master streams from North Avenue, cascading onto the structure from over the railroad tracks to surround the fire.

Due to the extreme heat and high humidity, companies from over 20 surrounding communities responded to assist in fire-suppression efforts. The fire was declared under control at approximately 6:00 pm.

Because of the size of the building, two large excavators were brought in to demolish the structure, with fire department crews soaking down all remaining hot spots. Companies cleared at approximately 3 a.m. this morning. The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation. Several firefighters were treated on scene for heat exhaustion and fluid replacement, but no serious injuries were reported.

Chief Purcell thanks all the surrounding communities who responded via mutual aid to assist with the stubborn blaze and provide coverage at Wakefield Fire Headquarters. Additional appreciation extends to Cataldo Ambulance Service and Rehab Five for their support of all the crews on scene.

Wakefield Fire Chief Thomas M. Purcell is pleased to announce the graduation of Christopher Czarnota from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program with Class #340. A graduation ceremony was held at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) main campus in Stow on Friday, July 17, 2026. FF Czarnota will be assigned to Group 1 under the command of Captain Randy Hudson. Welcome Aboard!!

Fireworks in Town tonight for the 4th of July have been cancelled!!!

Be Safe on the 4th of July - 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Please be Safe & Stay Hydrated on the 4th of July 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Wakefield Fire Departments "Firefighter Sunday Memorial" ceremony this morning at the Lakeside Cemetery Firefighter's Monument. Thank you to all who attended. Thank you to all who were instrumental in putting the annual remembrance ceremony together. Today we honor our members who served and are no longer with us...your service to the Town & the Department will never be forgotten🇺🇸