Davis Avenue Warehouse Fire-June 16, 2016

A three‑alarm fire tore through a long‑vacant industrial building on Davis Avenue on a Wednesday night, drawing a major response from Norwood Fire Department crews who battled intense flames and hazardous conditions. The structure at 50 Davis Avenue, once used for soap manufacturing, had stood unused for roughly fifteen years, and by the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already overtaken much of the building.

Fire crews reported that the heat and fire conditions were so severe that it was unsafe to enter the structure. According to Chief Anthony Greeley, firefighters also heard noises from inside that they believed were explosions, adding to the danger and complicating suppression efforts. By Thursday morning, crews remained on scene extinguishing hot spots and monitoring the stability of the fire‑damaged building.

This incident marked the third fire in the immediate area within a three‑month span. Chief Greeley noted the recent pattern, stating, “We had a fire in this building back in April on a Sunday morning. We had an outside fire that involved vehicles on the far side of this building less than 10 days ago.” His remarks underscored the growing concern about repeated fire activity around the property.

State investigators arrived with a dog trained to detect accelerants such as gasoline, while the town’s arson investigator spoke with individuals who worked nearby. Officials acknowledged the possibility that homeless individuals may have gained access to the vacant structure, though no specific findings were announced.

Firefighters faced additional challenges in securing enough water for the fast‑moving blaze, and crews were concerned about the potential for flames to spread to neighboring buildings on either side of the property. Despite the intensity of the fire and the hazards encountered, no injuries were reported.

As of the time of reporting, the cause of the fire remained under investigation. 

source: WCVB