Fire Set by Young Boys Destroys Barn, Milkshed, and Five Cows at Neponset Valley Farm
NORWOOD — May 31, 1947 — A fast‑moving fire, which police say was set by five young boys, swept through the Neponset Valley Farm late this afternoon, destroying a large barn, an adjoining milkshed, and killing five cows. Damage was estimated at $20,000.
The blaze broke out at 4:30 p.m. and quickly engulfed the two‑story wooden barn on Neponset Street, only 100 yards from Route 1.
Boys Admit Setting the Fire
Police Chief Thomas C. Lydon reported that the boys—ages 6 to 9—were seen leaving the area shortly before the fire was discovered. When questioned, they admitted that one of them had thrown lighted matches through an open barn window, igniting hay inside.
The boys were located and taken into custody by Lt. Patrick Coyne and Sgt. Mark Folan, then released to their parents while Chief Lydon prepared to consult the State Fire Marshal’s Office regarding further action.
Traffic Snarled on Route 1
The dramatic blaze drew hundreds of motorists, causing a 25‑minute traffic delay on the busy Route 1 Providence Highway as drivers stopped to watch. State Police from the Wrentham Barracks were called in to clear the jam.
Farmhands Save Most of the Herd
The milkshed housed 30 head of cattle. Farmhands managed to lead 25 cows to safety before flames forced them back. The remaining five perished in the smoke and heat.
Firefighters arrived quickly but were unable to save the main barn, which was already fully involved. Flames leapt to a smaller barn several hundred feet away, but crews extinguished that fire before it could spread.
Embers Ignite Brush Fire Near Airport
Flying embers carried across Route 1 and ignited a wood and grass fire near the Norwood Airport. The Westwood Fire Department responded and brought the blaze under control.
Farm Owned by Leonard C. Fisher
The destroyed barn and milkshed were owned by Leonard C. Fisher, operator of the Neponset Valley Farm. The loss of livestock and structures represents a significant setback for the long‑established agricultural operation.
Text and images may have been created, edited, colorized, or digitally restored using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
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