– Photo courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

On October 1 at 8:23 a.m.  the Somerville Fire Department responded to a serious gas main break at the rear of 3 Maxwells Green located just beneath the Lowell Street bridge. A contractor digging holes for new tree plantings accidentally struck and ruptured a high pressure gas main. The contractor was able to shut off the flow of gas prior to the arrival of the gas company but not before gas entered the adjacent, newly constructed apartment building. Firefighters evacuated the building and ventilated any gas from inside. Lowell Street was closed by the Somerville Police between Vernon and Princeton Streets until the situation was brought under control. All fire companies cleared the scene at 9:59 a.m. 

– Photo courtesy of Somerville Fire Department.

At 8:38 a.m. while the gas leak was in progress,  a fire broke out inside Apt#406 on the fourth floor of the Weston Manor located at 15 Weston Avenue. A fire originating atop a stove spread to cabinets above. Firefighters managed to bring it under control quickly with fire damage confined to the stove and cabinets and smoke damage inside the apartment.

~Deputy Fire Chief Charles Breen