On January 19, 2023, at approximately 8:29 pm, the Hanover Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 40 Maplewood Drive. A full first alarm assignment was dispatched consisting of Engine 7, Engine 4, Engine 3, Tower 1, Ambulance 1, C1, and C2. The Regional Old Colony Communications Center received a 911 call from the homeowner reporting a fire in a second-floor bedroom. Upon arrival, smoke was coming from an attic vent of a two-story residential structure. A survey of the exterior of the house revealed a fire in the ceiling of a second-floor room.
First arriving crews stretched a hose line to the second floor while other crews performed a search and set up ladders. A fire was located in a second-floor bedroom ceiling which was found to be extending approximately 6-7 feet into the attic space. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent further spread into the remainder of the structure.
Initial investigation by the Hanover Fire and Police Joint Fire Investigation Unit identified that the fire may have originated in a bathroom ventilation fan subsequent to an electrical problem. Fire damage was contained to the second floor and attic.
A mutual aid engine from Rockland provided station coverage during the incident. Support from the Hanover Police Department, Hanover Department of Municipal Inspections, and National Grid was also provided on-scene.
The on-duty crew of six firefighters along with a Chief Officer arrived within four minutes of being dispatched making it possible to perform multiple functions quickly which prevented fire spread and further damage. In total, eighteen Hanover Firefighters arrived on-scene within eight minutes. This combination of adequate on-duty staffing along with off-duty career and on-call firefighters responding on callback allowed for safe, effective, and efficient operations in a timely manner.
There were no injuries reported at the incident.
Damage is estimated to be at approximately $30,000
Firefighters cleared the scene at 10:26 pm.
