The Marshfield and Duxbury Fire Departments responded to a brush fire that scorched about four acres.
Marshfield Fire Chief Jeff Simpson says they responded to the area of Bay Point Path and Atwell Circle around 2:35 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
“The first arriving crews did a fantastic job at preventing the fire from extending to the homes,” said Simpson. “We had the tall marsh grass involved, we had strong winds blowing from the north, northwest around 25 to 30 miles per hour. It made it extremely challenging for us.”
The Marshfield Police Department evacuated nearby homes and moved people away from the fire scene. The Pembroke and Scituate Fire Departments provided station coverage and responded to calls in town during the incident.
As 7-year-old Jake Rubeski was talking with a reporter, a firefighter let him borrow a helmet.
“I saw the marsh, I saw smoke, and I saw water flying into the marsh,” said Rubeski. “It was pretty cool.”
7-year-old Jake Rubeski with a helmet borrowed from a firefighter. Photo credit: Lenny Rowe.
He said he wants to be a firefighter, like his father, who responded to the scene across from their home.
“I saw the flames, they were almost up to the back of the houses in the marsh. We watched it spread all the way down,” said Kim Rubeski. “It was pretty bad, we were all knocking on people’s doors to get the cars out of the driveways, so the fire trucks could get in.”
Chief Simpson said the fire was contained to the marsh, and it took about an hour to get it under control. Crews were on the scene for an extended period of time chasing hot spots.
“We got lucky, there’s a natural break in the marsh, a small tributary,” said Simpson. “There was some water in it, and that actually ended up assisting us. Our crews were able to go out there with the Duxbury crews and use a portable pump to get water on the head of the fire.”
Photo courtesy of Duxbury FD Deputy Chief Rob Reardon (Duxbury PIO Facebook and Twitter).
There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it appears to be accidental at this time.
“This was a surprise,” said 10-year-old Jackson Lannon. “I came home and there was the giant fire out far. My friend Justin’s yard was covered in black. It was such a surprise. A normal day at school, doing my work, doing stuff, and this happens. It’s amazing. … The fire didn’t stand a chance.”
“When I was walking home, I saw a police car and then a saw a helicopter a few minutes later. Once I got to my neighborhood, I saw all these cop and fire trucks,” said 9-year-old Justin Berchtold. “When I got to my house, I saw this big cloud of smoke.”
Photo courtesy of Duxbury Fire PIO on Facebook.
Photo courtesy of Duxbury FD Deputy Chief Rob Reardon (Duxbury PIO Facebook and Twitter).
