04/18/2013 - Around 1530 hours on the afternoon of Thursday, April 18, 2013 the Whitman Fire Department responded to multiple calls for a brush fire in the rear of 401 South Avenue. Engine-2 and Car-3 responded. Companies arrived to find a large area of brush on fire. Command, Lieutenant Timothy Clancy, requested that the box be struck for manpower and that Forest Fire 1 respond to the scene. Additionally a brush truck from Hanson was requested to the scene and an East Bridgewater engine company was requested for station coverage. Crews worked feverishly to get around the fire, as high winds spread the fire quickly. Crews stretched several hand lines off of the apparatus and needed to refill their tanks several times to get the fire under control. Whitman Police were able to place in custody two juveniles that admitted to starting the blaze. Deputy Chief Joseph Feeney responded to the blaze to discuss the incident with the suspects and their parents. Within about an hour the fire was placed under control. Crews spent an extended amount of time wetting down and searching for more areas of fire. The fire consumed approximately two acres of brush and forest in the area.
