Robert B. Lay, Fire Chief
Public Safety Building
181 Main St
Groveland, MA 01834
For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
New Smoke Detectors, Quick Response Credited in Saving Lives in Groveland House Fire
GROVELAND – Chief Robert Lay reports that smart homeowners who recently replaced their smoke detectors, may have saved two children’s lives when a fire broke out at their home last week.
The Groveland Fire Department responded to a house fire at 1:30 a.m. on June 25 for a reported building fire at 5 Savory Lane. The first engine company arrived at the three-story, single-family house within six minutes and found a smoke condition.
Three adults and twin boys under age 3 were already outside when firefighters arrived. They were awakened by activated smoke detectors when the fire broke out.
The residents told firefighters that they recently replaced their older non-working smoke detectors and that where were awakened by the blaring alarms, which helped them to get their children out of the house on time.
“If there were no working smoke detectors in this house, we might be having a very different conversation today. There were children on the third floor and adults on the second floor, and the smoke detectors helped alert everyone that there was an emergency in the home,” Chief Lay said. “The extremely quick response time of our Groveland firefighters also helped make sure that this fire, while unfortunate, did not result in a tragedy.”
Chief Lay reminds all residents to check their smoke detectors at least twice a year and to ensure that they are replaced every 10 years.
“Even if you live in a newer-home, built in the mid-2000s, your smoke detectors may be at the end of their lifespan,” Chief Lay said. “When in doubt, replace them.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters were able to limit the damage to a third-floor bedroom. Damage was estimated at $50,000.
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