Belmont Fire Log: Arcing Incidents Brings Out Belmont Companies

Dec. 16 – Fire companies were leaving Belmont High School around 10:20 a.m. after conducting a fire exit drill when headquarters informed them that an alarm had just gone off from the school's master box. They turned around searched the area of the front offices, the library and the English and the history departments. Turned out that the alarm had gone off several times and was reset by the janitorial staff. The Fire Department told the staff to report immediately any problems and had the alarm system company notified.

Smelly road

Dec. 18 – Just before 1 p.m., firefighters were sent to Fletcher Road for the scent of natural gas on the road. The gas company was told and they said they would be coming 'round.

Sizzling outlet 

Dec. 19 – At 6:18 p.m. (which is 18:18 astronomical time) all Belmont companies were dispatched to a Dean Street house in the Winn Brook neighborhood for the report of the odor of smoke inside the residence. The homeowner told the firefighters that an outside electrical outlet was overheating and there was a burning smell inside the house. He also said he heard a "sizzling" sound at the main electrical panel. Crews shut down the breaker to the outlet while others searched the house but could not find any smoke or fire. Belmont Light arrived on scene and investigated further and determined the smell came from an arcing or shorting electrical equipment. While on scene, firefighters noticed two mattresses in close proximity to the heating unit in the basement. The homeowner moved the mattresses away from the heating unit prior to BFD's departure.

Overworked disposal

Dec. 19 – Minutes after the clock turned to 9 p.m., all of Belmont's equipment was sent to a house on Cross Street for a burning smell in the structure. The owner reported that she was having a problem with her dishwasher and sink disposal. Firefighters determined the odor was coming from the overheated motor to the sink disposal as well as an unknown problem with the dishwasher. Personnel disconnected power to both appliances and red tagged them for service.

Smokey hole

Dec. 21 – Just before half past 11 a.m., firefighters took off to Cushing Square for smoke coming out of a manhole. Crews discovered that the fire had gone out by the time they arrived. It appeared the blaze was created by the arcing of electric equipment. Belmont Light came about to repair the manhole.