Brockton Fire Department Press Release

Brockton Fire Department

Statement on Fire at Madrid Square March 28, 2017

March 29, 2017

The Brockton Fire Department responded to 20 Madrid Square at 16:05hrs on March 28, 2017 after receiving several calls reporting a fire and that a man was trapped on a balcony. Upon arrival Engine 3 reported smoke showing. Ladder Company 1 responded to the rear of the building and found an occupant on the third floor porch with fire showing from the open porch door. Ladder Company 1 raised a 28 foot ground ladder and ascended to affect the rescue of the trapped occupant.  Under heavy fire conditions and at great personal risk Lieutenant Christopher O’Reilly and Firefighter Zachery Davis entered the 3^rd floor porch while Firefigher Benjamin Denny utilized a water fire extinguisher to protect the occupant & rescuers and Firefighter Victor Soto-Perez secured the ladder. O’Reilly and Davis then lifted the man over the railing and handed him to Firefighter Benjamin Denny who carried him to the ground.

The occupant suffered burns and was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital by Brewster EMS, he was then later transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital where he is currently located.

Lieutenant O’Reilly and Firefighter Davis suffered second degree burns and were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital by Brewster EMS. Both members are being admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital today for further treatment.

Deputy Chief Charles Davis was in Command of the incident.

Lieutenant O’Reilly and Firefighter Davis acted with professionalism and bravery under extreme personal risk exhibiting the finest traditions of the Brockton Fire Department.

The fire was investigated by the Brockton Fire Department, the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal, and the Brockton Police Department.  The fire appears to be accidental and started in the kitchen. The fire is officially under investigation.

At least 30 occupants were displaced from the building due to the fire, water damage and termination of utilities 

Fire Chief Michael Wiliams states “I am very proud of the members and the job that they did under extraordinary conditions. I am not surprised at the bravery that they showed as this is what we are prepared to do every day.”

Firefighter Zachary Davis states “This was not my normal crew but we fell back on our training and the ladder was raised and the rescue was made very quickly.”

Union President Archie Gormley states “I am grateful that our members are safe and that they were able to remove the occupant under such demanding conditions. I cannot express enough, my gratitude to the members of Brewster EMS, Good Samaritan Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital for their treatment of our firefighters.  I would also like to acknowledge Mayor Carpenter who responded to the scene and to the hospital to check on the condition of the firefighters and occupants.  Finally, I would like to acknowledge how fortunate we were that the ladder company was staffed with 4 members as this allowed them to quickly raise the ladder, retrieve the man and carry him down. Without these four members this rescue may have had a different outcome.”