11/09/2019 - WHITMAN, MASSACHUSETTS (PLYMOUTH COUNTY) - Around 1850 hours on the evening of Saturday, November 9, 2019 the Whitman Fire Department responded to the area of 233 Bedford Street for a reported unknown type of outside fire. Car-3, Engine-243 and Ladder-246 responded. Companies arrived to find a large pile of wood chips and a tub grinder used to make the wood chips on fire at the rear of 233 Bedford Street, which is Sweezey Fence Erectors. Access to the fire was difficult due to several locked fence gates around the property. Firefighters utilized the Holmatro battery powered hydraulic cutters to open the gate to access the fire. Firefighters stretched multiple hand lines to knock down the fire. Due to companies being tied up on-scene, a box was struck and mutual aid engine from Hanson responded to Whitman Headquarters for coverage. That engine was diverted to the scene to assist in a water supply, and an Abington engine covered Whitman's station. The fire was knocked down with the assistance of heavy machinery which was able to open up the pile wood chips, exposing hidden fire pockets. The cause of the fire is unknown. No injuries were reported.
