Stubborn Fire Heavily Damages Historic Eastman Funeral Home on Mount Vernon Street-October 26, 1963

Heavy Smoke and Flames Gut Mount Vernon Street Landmark

A stubborn, smoky fire tore through the historic Eastman Funeral Home on Mount Vernon Street yesterday afternoon, causing extensive damage estimated between $20,000 and $25,000. Norwood Fire Chief Irving J. Dobson reported that the blaze originated on the ground floor and traveled up partition beams to the second story, apparently burning unnoticed for some time before a passing motorist phoned in the alarm.

Dense, acrid smoke poured from the nearly century-old building, forcing firefighters to don oxygen masks and tackle the flames under challenging conditions. Chief Dobson noted that a slate roof at the rear of the structure and newly installed aluminum siding complicated firefighting efforts. Dr. John Kelly was present at the scene to administer oxygen to firefighters suffering from smoke inhalation.

Mutual aid crews from Westwood, Walpole, and Dover stood by at the Norwood fire station to provide coverage as local firefighters also battled five simultaneous minor blazes across town—including two grass fires on Codman Road, a brush fire at the town dump, and grass fires near Neponset and Walpole streets.

Firefighter Injuries and Historic Building Background

Three firefighters received medical treatment at Norwood Hospital: Firefighter Zark Amirault, who required three stitches for a hand wound; and Robert Hamlin and George Foley, who were treated for smoke inhalation.

The structure holds deep roots in local history. Before being converted into a funeral parlor several years prior, the building originally housed the Verne Inn, a familiar community landmark for over 50 years. The state fire marshal’s office launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, while hundreds of shoppers and spectators crowded the downtown area to watch emergency operations.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger