MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, MA – On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Manchester Fire Department, with the assistance of mutual aid partners, responded to a structure fire that escalated to a two-alarm incident.
According to Fire Chief James McNeilly, at 9:10 PM the North Shore Regional 911 Center received a phone call from a passerby reporting a fire on Summer Street near Sweeney Park and Box Alarm was dispatched. Manchester Police were first on scene and confirmed that a structure at 109 Summer Street was heavily engulfed in flames.
Manchester Fire Department’s Lieutenant James Doucette, the first Incident Commander, described the situation in an initial report, as a well-involved, medium-sized, two-story detached structure featuring a finished second floor and a three-bay garage on the first floor. The Fire Department had water on the fire within nine minutes.
Initially, there was a delay in establishing a water supply because of a frozen hydrant and below-freezing conditions. In response, Chief McNeilly ordered a second alarm. Ultimately, crews secured a water supply with approximately 1,600 feet of hose laid out.
The main body of the fire was extinguished by 11:20 PM. No other structures were impacted by this incident. Crews were able to contain the fire to the building of origin. The Manchester Fire Department remained on site throughout the night, and crews were still on scene at the time of this press release.
Fortunately, there were no civilian injuries. However, one firefighter sustained a minor injury. Chief McNeilly estimates the damage to the structure to be around $300,000. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire Department, and the Massachusetts Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Manchester Fire Department extends their gratitude to the following agencies for their support at this incident: North Shore Regional 911, Manchester Police, Essex Fire, Beverly Fire, Gloucester Fire, Hamilton Fire, Wenham Fire, Ipswich Fire, Beauport Ambulance, Rehab 5, Manchester DPW and Manchester Water Department. Gloucester Fire and Danvers Fire provided station coverage throughout the incident.
