Police/Fire

Watertown Police Officer Saves Woman from Burning House

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Watertown Police Officer Michael Grzelcyk

The Watertown Police Department posted the following announcement on its Facebook page. Friday, October 11, 2024, Officer Michael Grzelcyk demonstrated extraordinary bravery during a working house fire on Winsor Ave. Upon arrival, he learned that a second-floor tenant, an elderly woman, was still inside. With Watertown Fire en route, Officer Grzelcyk entered the burning building alone, facing intense smoke and flames. Despite zero visibility, he made verbal contact with trapped woman.

Around Town

Neighbors Running Fund Raiser to Help Family Pay for Vet Bills for Cat Injured in a House Fire

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Two cats were in a fire at a Watertown home, and one — Basil — has required medical care. An online fundraising effort has started to help a Watertown family who are trying to pay for their cat’s veterinary bills after their home was damaged in a fire. Shortly after the March 21 fire that damaged the home on Quincy Street a group of neighbors rallied to support their neighbors. Jason Gerdom and Diana Richards put together the GoFundMe campaign to help their neighbors. They provided the following background on the campaign site:

“Hi, we’re a group of neighbors on the west side of Watertown who are raising money for a family who lost their house in a fire last week (March 21).

Police/Fire

Police Log: Pair Caught Shoplifting, Fire at Newlywed Foods

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrest

July 8, 3:18 p.m.: Security at Perkins School for the Blind spotted an unknown person walking around on the school property. They attempted to speak to the man but he left the property. Police located the man on North Beacon Street, and he said he was walking on the property because it was shady and quiet. Officers learned that he was wanted on a warrant.

Police/Fire

Fire on Gore Place Property Doused by Watertown Firefighters

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ContributedFlames from a blaze on the Gore Estate can be seen from the back of a home on Edward Road. Watertown firefighters doused a blaze on the property of Gore Place which the Fire Department believes was started by illegal fireworks. On Saturday, July 23 at about 10:30 p.m. the Watertown Fire Department received a report of a fire on the Gore Estate property. The fire occurred near homes on Edward Road, according to Acting Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. “We believe it was caused by fireworks, due to some remnants, but it is difficult to determine because illegal fireworks are set off frequently in that area,” Nicholson said.

Police/Fire

Watertown Firefighters Douse Porch Fire That Extended into Home

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A fire struck a home on Riverside Street on Sunday, damaging a porch and part of an apartment. The Watertown Fire Department got a fire alarm at 3:30 p.m. on March 27 from a six-unit building on Riverside Street. They received reports of smoke in the basement. “Members of Group 2 extinguished a small fire on the rear porch, which was extending to the building. No injuries were reported and no residents were displaced,” said the fire report from the Watertown Fire Department.

Fire

2 Alarm Fire Damages Watertown Restaurant Near Galen Street

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A fire started in the basement of a Watertown restaurant, and significant damage was done by the two-alarm blaze. A fire alarm rang at Jana Grill & Bakery, at the corner of Watertown and Galen streets, at 10:18 p.m. on Aug. 30. The Watertown Fire Department arrived about 10:30 p.m. and smoke was found in the basement. Watertown Engine 1 and Ladder 1 responded to the first alarm.

Police/Fire

Fire Damages Apartment in Large Complex South of the Charles River

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A fire started in an apartment in an apartment complex on Watertown Street on Wednesday, but was doused before it spread within the unit or to other apartments. The Watertown Fire Department received the fire alarm at 1:31 p.m. on Wednesday. The fire began in the kitchen area of a unit in the Watertown Square Apartments, located at 20 Watertown Street. No one was home when the fire began, but it was discovered by an alert employee, said Watertown Fire Capt. Eric Allen, the WFD’s Fire Investigator. “There was a maintenance worker that was on the roof of the building that saw smoke coming out of one of the vents,” Allen said.