Wareham Fire Department responds to gas leak on Swifts Beach Road

“On Tuesday, November 29, at 9:14 a.m., the Wareham Fire Department was alerted to a gas leak on Swifts Beach Road.

Engine 1, Engine 5, Tower 1, and C-3 (Asst. Chief Rogers) responded and determined there was a significant gas leak caused by a utility company working in the area. Assistant Chief Rogers immediately directed units to start evacuating nearby homes and secured the area. Additional resources were summoned including one engine company from both the Onset and Marion Fire Departments, along with Wareham EMS.

Chief of Department John Kelley arrived on the scene and assumed command of the incident, while A/C Rogers took over as operations officer. Throughout the day multiple calls were received from area homes reporting gas odors, which firefighters responded and metered, ensuring the safety of the residents. Several calls were coming from Nicholas Drive, which prompted the Chief to send the mutual aid companies to stage and secure that area.

Those companies operated under the command of Onset Fire Deputy Chief Jeff Dias. An engine company from Bourne stood by at the Main Street firehouse, handling multiple other unrelated calls during the day.

Firefighters continued to monitor the area while National Grid worked to secure the leak. Finally, at 4:09 p.m. the leak was shut down, however firefighters remained in the area for some time. The Swifts Beach neighborhood was completely cut off during the emergency, until the Municipal Maintenance Department cut an access road from Swifts Beach Road to the Cromesett area.

Chief Kelley said, “Dave Menard and the crew from the Municipal Maintenance Department did a tremendous job making the Swifts Beach area accessible for both emergency traffic and residents. I really appreciate what they did.” He added, “While an extremely hazardous condition was present, our department along with the mutual aid companies took aggressive measures to avert a disaster.” A total of 25 Wareham Fire Department members both career and call, responded to the leak or stood by to answer additional alarms.” -Wareham Fire Department.

Wareham Fire Department photo.