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Photo courtesy of Westwood Fire Department from Twitter @westwoodfire.
1-19-2022 4:20pm
Norwood, Westwood FDs Respond to Fire at Moderna Facility; Walpole Provides Station Coverage
Darlene Cancell
Editor
At approximately 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, Norwood Fire Department responded to a small fire at an unoccupied building under construction, identified as Moderna’s Technology Center East building at 1 Investors Way in Norwood.
Arriving first responders found smoke and flames on the roof of the building. Norwood Fire put out a call for mutual aid, which Westwood Fire Department received around 6:45 a.m.
Image from Google Maps. The Moderna Technology Center's East building is identified and pinpointed in red. It is located near Moderna's facility at 1 Upland Way and Washington Street in Norwood.Westwood Fire responded with an engine carrying at least three fire fighters. Walpole Fire Department provided coverage at the station. All companies were working by 7:14 am.
The fire was met with an “aggressive exterior attack to prevent the fire from spreading within the building,” says a press release from Norwood Fire. The fire was out around 8:00 a.m. and the scene was cleared by 8:27 a.m.
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Photo courtesy of Norwood Fire Department. Norwood Fire extinguished a fire at Moderna's Technology Center East building, 1 Investors Way, earlier this morning. There were no injuries. The building is not currently used for vaccine manufacturing or distribution.
Norwood Fire is investigating the cause of the fire, which at this time is believed to be an accident.
It was a busy day for Westwood Fire. Also this morning, Group 2 firefighters conducted ice rescue training exercises at Buckmaster Pond.
Photo courtesy of Westwood Fire Department. Westwood firefighters conduct training in ice rescue using a sled and other equipment at Buckmaster Pond in Westwood.At this time of year, the pond presents a good opportunity for practice in ice rescue, and training is a regular occurrence, said Ms. Carolyn Wade, the department’s Public Information Officer. The group trained with a sled, to promote familiarity with equipment that may have to be use in future rescues.
Last week, Westwood firefighters were able to train with a vacant building. The building was donated for their use, before plans to demolish it. No actual fire was ignited, but a smoke machine was used, said Ms. Wade.
Westwood Fire’s training activities are usually announced on Facebook and Instagram, said Ms. Wade, and she encourages interested residents to follow the department’s activities.
