Fire Chief Wes Russell and Police Chief Richard D. Howe report that the Tyngsborough Police and Fire Departments responded to a fire at the Robert D. Pelletier American Legion Post 247 on Sunday night.
On Sunday, March 6, at approximately 9:49 p.m., firefighters and police were called to the American Legion post at 90 Pawtucket Boulevard for a report of alarms sounding.
Tyngsborough Police were first to arrive on scene, and an officer reported smoke coming from the roof of the building and all occupants already outside.
The Tyngsborough Fire Department’s Engine 2 was the first fire apparatus on scene and immediately called for a working fire, bringing all Tyngsborough Fire apparatus to the scene, as well as mutual aid support.
Firefighters entered the building to make an interior attack on the fire, and found heavy fire in an attic space. Crews began the difficult work of pulling ceilings so they could attack the fire, while other crews worked with tanker trucks from the Tyngsborough and Dunstable Fire Departments to establish a water supply, because there are no fire hydrants in the area.
Chief Russell assumed command of the fire and struck a second alarm at approximately 10:05 p.m. The fire was brought under control at approximately 10:45 p.m., but a third alarm was struck to bring additional support to the scene to assist with extensive overhaul required in the building. The scene was cleared at approximately 11:15 p.m.
There were no reported injuries.
Tyngsborough Police assisted at the scene by shutting down a portion of Pawtucket Boulevard in the area.
Investigators from the Tyngsborough Fire Department and the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office have determined the cause was likely to be a malfunction in electrical wiring.
Firefighters from the Dunstable, Dracut, Nashua, Chelmsford, and Westford Fire Departments provided mutual aid at the scene, while firefighters from the Lowell and Hudson, N.H., Fire Departments provided station coverage.
“Chief Russell and I would like to thank all of the mutual aid partners who supported the Town of Tyngsborough with this emergency at the home of a beloved community institution,” said Chief Howe. “Tyngsborough is a community that looks up to its veterans, and I hope everyone will come together to help this great organization as it recovers.”