Outside Burning

See Watertown’s Open, Outside Burning Regulations

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Fire Department:

Please be aware of these OPEN/OUTSIDE BURNING REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES IN WATERTOWN! The Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Watertown Fire Department limit open burning for public health and safety reasons. Per MassDEP open burning is prohibited in 22 densely built and populated cities and towns. THE FOLLOWING ARE COMMUNITIES WHERE OPEN BURNING IS PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES: Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Medford, New Bedford, Newton, Somerville, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, West Springfield, Worcester. Watertown is one of 22 communities in the Commonwealth in which open burning is NOT PERMITTED.

Homepage Featured

Two Alarm Fire Starts on Grill, Damages Back of Watertown Home

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A fire charred the back of a home on Waverley Avenue Wednesday afternoon and displaced three residents. A fire alarm was struck Wednesday afternoon for a home on Waverley Avenue. When firefighters arrived Deputy Fire Chief Tom McManus, the incident commander, ordered a second alarm. The fire reportedly started on a grill and extended to the house and spread rapidly up the rear of the home. Engine 3 arrived and was alerted to the blaze by one of the residents, said Acting Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson.

Fireworks

Watertown Police, Fire Departments Warn About Using Fireworks

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JL Johnson, https://www.flickr.com/photos/user47/Fireworks

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Watertown Public Safety Announcement: Please leave fireworks to the professionals this summer! 

Massachusetts Fireworks Law MGL Chapter 148, S. 39

It is illegal for private citizens to use, possess, or sell fireworks in Massachusetts, or to purchase them legally elsewhere and then transport them into the state. • Fine for possession or use of fireworks between $10-$100

• Up to a $1,000 fine for the sale of fireworks

Fireworks (including sparklers) are not safe, especially around children. Sparklers burn at temperatures of over 1,800° Fahrenheit! 

Children under age 5 are likely to suffer the worst burn injuries caused by sparklers. We need your help to prevent unnecessary injuries, house fires, property damage, and traumatic experiences for many children, pets, active military, veterans, and other residents. If you have any information on fireworks or to report firework activity, please call the Watertown Police Department at 617-972-6500.

Bob Quinn

Watertown Fire Chief Retires After Short, but Eventful Tenure

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn retired after 35 years on the WFD, serving the last 4.5 years as chief. Here he is speaking to City Councilor Lisa Feltner at his retirement party at the Watertown Fire Headquarters. Fire Chief Bob Quinn headed into retirement at the end of April having helped modernize the Watertown Fire Department, pushed for increased firefighter safety, and endured the deaths of two close colleagues. On April 29, 35 years to the day after he became a firefighter Quinn retired as Watertown Fire Chief. A celebration was held in the engine bay at Watertown Fire Headquarters, instead of at a hall or restaurant, because Quinn said he wanted to bring back an old tradition.

Around Town

Watertown Fire Department Names Provisional Fire Chief

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Watertown Fire DepartmentWatertown Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson. The City of Watertown announced that Assistant Fire Chief Ryan Nicholson will lead the Watertown Fire Department until the next Fire Chief is named. The City of Watertown sent out the following statement:

“Many congratulations to Assistant Chief Ryan Nicholson, who has been appointed to the position of Provisional Fire Chief, effective Sunday, May 1, 2022, until a Permanent Fire Chief is selected.” Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn announced he will be retiring at the end of April. Nicholson became the WFD’s first Assistant Fire Chief in September 2020.

Around Town

Plaques Unveiled to Remember Five Firefighters Who Lost Their Lives Serving Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseThe memorial plaques for the five Watertown Firefighters who died in the line of duty are unveiled by Watertown firefighters Rob Mannix, left, and Paul LaFauci on April 13, 2022. David Morrill, far left, attended the ceremony on the 63rd anniversary of his father Charles’ death. Five Watertown Firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty will have a permanent place at the Watertown Fire Headquarters. Each was memorialized with a plaque placed on the front of the building. The Watertown Fire Department unveiled the plaques to Willard Streeter, Gilbert Nichols, Ernest Ford, Charles Morrill and Joseph Toscano on Wednesday afternoon.

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.

Around Town

Five Years Later, Memory of Fallen Watertown Firefighter Lives in Colleagues’ Hearts

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Firefighters place a wreath at the memorial to Joseph Toscano, who died fighting a fire five years ago. March 17, 2017 was one of the darkest days for the Watertown Fire Department. They lost a beloved colleague, Joseph Toscano, during the aftermath of a fire on Merrifield Avenue. On Thursday, Watertown Firefighters showed up in large numbers to remember Joe on the fifth anniversary of his death. Current and former WFD personnel, on-duty and off, lined up several rows deep at the corner of Merrifield and Bigelow avenues at the time of his passing to salute Toscano.