Heavy fire damage is evident in the rear of 53 Josephine Avenue.

Somerville firefighters were kept busy last weekend  on Labor Day, September 1, responding to three fires in the city. The first, and most serious fire, broke out at approximately 1:36 a.m. at 53 Josephine Avenue. The three story home suffered extensive fire damage in the rear with smoke and water damage throughout. The rear porches were destroyed and fire spread into the walls and attic of the home. Heat from the fire also damaged the home at 49 Josephine Avenue melting vinyl siding. All three apartments were rendered uninhabitable and the occupants have been displaced. Two Alarms were sounded and one firefighter was transported to the hospital for evaluation after becoming ill at the scene. The cause of the fire is presently undetermined and remains under investigation.

A second fire broke out inside the Herb Chambers Mercedes Benz dealership located at 259 McGrath Highway. Firefighters responding to a fire alarm at 8:55 a.m. found heavy smoke inside the automotive repair area. A fire was confined to a work bench and wall and controlled by the building’s sprinkler system. Firefighters completed extinguishing the fire and assisted with the removal of smoke and water from the facility. The cause of the fire appears to be an electrical malfunction.

Heat damage is visible to the exterior of 49 Josephine Ave.

The third fire broke out at 8 p.m. on the second floor of 22 Lake Street and was confined to the kitchen of the duplex home. A neighbor reported the fire after spotting smoke coming from a window. Arriving firefighters found heavy smoke in the second floor apartment. Captain William Fitzpatrick and Firefighter Jack Fitzgerald located and rescued an elderly male from the apartment. He was transported to the hospital. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental originating in a microwave oven.

— Somerville Fire Department