12/04/2013 - At 1139 hours on the morning of Wednesday, December 4, 2013 the Abington Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at 160 Shaw Avenue. Companies arrived to find a propane fed fire, with heavy fire showing from the tank which was on the "D" side of the dwelling, near the "A" corner. A propane delivery truck from E. Osterman Propane was in the driveway, and appeared to be in the process of a delivery at the time of the blaze. Crews on the initial alarm were hampered by heavy fire conditions fed by the propane, as well as downed live electrical wires that were in the area of the propane tank. National Grid was requested priority-1 soon after the first engine's arrival. A second and third alarm were struck bringing mutual aid companies from Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Holbrook, Rockland, Weymouth and Whitman to the scene and an Avon engine company into Abington Fire Headquarters to cover. The propane tank needed to be shut off by hand while involved in fire by a firefighter in order to stop the tank from purging. The fire had already made its way into the home, spreading rapidly through out the 1.5 story wood framed dwelling. The house was only occupied by the family dog at the time of the fire. The dog was removed, unharmed, by a Holbrook firefighter. Heavy fire conditions in the home required firefighters to make a defensive attack from the outside of the house. Several 2.5" hand lines were in operation, as well as a Blitz gun on a 3" hand line that was set up in the rear of the building. The fire was under control within 2-hours. The dwelling was home to a reported family of seven, who were displaced and needed the assistance of the Red Cross. The driver of the propane delivery truck needed to be transported to the South Shore Hospital via a Norwell ambulance with minor injuries. Rockland and Whitman ambulances provided EMS stand by during the blaze. Rehab for the firefighters were provided by the Whitman CERT Team Rehab Unit and the Department of Fire Services Rehab-6. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's office.
