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4-20-2025 10:02pm
Norwood, Walpole Fire Depts. Join Large Scale Response to Bellingham Mulch and Brush Fire on Sunday
Darlene Cancell
Editor
On Sunday, April 20th, Bellingham Fire Chief William Miller reported that his department, along with fire crews from many neighboring communities that included Norwood and Walpole, worked for more than five hours that day to contain a sprawling mulch and brush fire. There were no injuries.
Around 8:40 a.m. on Sunday which was warm and windy, Bellingham Fire Department received a report of a mulch fire at D&D Mulch and Landscape, an industrial property at 236 Maple Street, located in the area of a power line right of way, next to Interstate 495. Crews responded to find a fire at two 10,000 yard piles of mulch. Chief Millers believes the fire was likely was caused by spontaneous combustion. The fire jumped from the mulch piles to nearby brush, burning 6.5 acres.
"These type[s] of fires can quickly spiral out of control," said Chief Miller.
Bellingham Fire quickly requested help from neighboring towns, and received aid from at least 20 pieces of equipment and 50 firefighters, according to estimates by Chief Miller.
"First, our crews did a great job immediately responding to the scene and evaluating the situation," Chief Miller said. "As we requested further assistance, nearby departments stepped up and helped, despite dealing with their own brush fires. We're really grateful for their help," he said.
Norwood, Foxborough, and Hopedale provided off-road equipment, and other engines and apparatus came from Norwood, Walpole, Medway, Milford, Hopkinton, Westborough, Norfolk, Mansfield, Hopedale, Wrentham, and the state Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry. An ambulance team from Plainville was also at the scene, and Franklin firefighters covered Bellingham's stations.
Around 2 p.m., or about 5.5 hours later, firefighters declared things under control. No buildings were damaged, but the fire claimed a D&D excavator and wheel loader.
