ATTLEBORO CITYWIDE NEWS

Suspicious Early Morning Fire in Cumberland RI

CUMBERLAND- Updated 3/11/08: A 2 alarm fire early this morning caused heavy damage to a large 2 story house at 500 Nate Whipple Highway. The fire was reported around 4:30am and resulted in the total collapse of the house within 1 1/2 hours. Neighbors reported hearing a loud explosion and heavy fire conditions greeted fire crews on arrival, and because of the conditions and a suspicious note found, they went to a defensive attack on the fire.The suspicious note was found outside the house, specifically warning firefighters not to enter, leading fire commanders to believe there may have been explosive devices inside the house.

Officials from the Rhode State Police Bomb Squad and State Fire Marshall's Office were immediately summoned to the scene. The fire is now being declared a murder/suicide at the hand of a male who resided at the address, his wife died of a gunshot wound to the head and the husband was killed by the exploding propane tanks. Allegedly there were a dozen opened 20lb propane tanks found in the basement along with gunpowder in the house. Police confirmed the indentity of the two bodies have been removed from the home.The fire and note are under investigation and ACN will bring you any breaking updates.

Near Drowning at Attleboro YMCA

ATTLEBORO-  A 6 year old boy nearly drown in the swimming pool at the Attleboro YMCA, on North Main Street, Tuesday afternoon. Only the quick actions of a nearby 14 year old saved the boy, as the teenager jumped into the pool and pulled the boy from the bottom.

The child was unconscious on the bottom of the deep end of the pool when spotted by the alert rescuer. After being pulled to the surface the unidentified 14 year old handed the boy to on duty lifeguards and a doctor who happened to also be in the pool area.

When firefighter/paramedics Marcio Barcelos and James McCracken, along with the engine crew of Capt. Keith Jackson and firefighters David Capraro and Greg Jolly, arrived on scene, the child was semi conscious and breathing. He was treated on scene and rushed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital where he was stabilized before transport to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence.

The exact details of the near tragic accident are unclear but Attleboro Police, including patrolman James MacDonald, are investigating the incident. ACN will bring you more detail as they become available.

North Attleboro Fire Department Promotes Two

NORTH ATTLEBORO- Two North Attleboro firefighters were officially promoted on Tuesday night during the department's annual pinning ceremony. Firefighter Michael Chabot was promoted to Fire Lieutenant with Engine Co. 5 on B platoon and Fire Lt. Ronald Meyer Jr. was promoted to Fire Captain and Shift Commander of C Platoon.

Chabot, the son of retired North Attleboro Lt. Al Chabot, has been with the department for 12 years and comes from a long serving family of North Attleboro firefighters. Meyer, whose brother Capt. Scott Meyer commands D platoon, is a 22 year veteran firefighter. The Meyer brothers father, Ronald Sr., also served the North Attleboro Fire Department as Deputy Chief and was Chief of the Plainville Fire Department.

In addition two other firefighters Jon Underhill Jr., son of North Attleboro firefighter Jon Underhill Sr., and Seth Hagerty, son of Franklin Fire Dept. Capt. James Hagerty, were sworn in. Also Joshua Langille was sworn in as a call firefighter.

The ceremony, organized by North Attleboro firefighter Chris Cornetta and the Department, took place at the North Attleboro Lodge of Elks. Photo by Scott Langille.

( Capt. R. Meyer, on left, and Lt. M. Chabot)

Electrical Worker Suffers Flash Burns

NORTH ATTLEBORO- A subcontractor, doing work for the North Attleboro Electric Department, suffered flash burns this morning while working on electrical transmission lines near Towne Street and Commonwealth Avenue. Exact details of the 9:30am accident were unknown but, while working on the power lines, something went wrong resulting in the flash burns to the worker and a loss of electrical power to the area neighborhoods. The North Attleboro Fire Dept. responded to the scene and Rescue 1 transported the worker to the hospital. The resulting loss of power caused several fire alarm activations and other related problems.

Manhunt in Attleboro for Chase Suspect

ATTLEBORO- Attleboro and Massachusetts State Police spent most of the early morning today searching for a suspect that was wanted after a short car chase by State Police. The event unfolded just around midnight as State Police pursued vehicle from North Main Street to West Street and onto North Avenue where the suspect bailed out at Brander Road.

A command post between Attleboro and State Police was set up at Brander Road and two state Police K-9 units were brought in to track the subject. The alleged suspect is an Attleboro resident who resides on Lexington Avenue. After an extensive search by patrol officers and K-9 units, at one point extending on foot from Brander Road to Lexington Avenue, the suspect was not apprehended and the investigation continues. ACN will bring you more details as the develop.

3 Alarm Double Fatal Fire in Boston`

BOSTON- A 3 alarm fire overnight in Boston killed a 3 year old child and her teenage sister. The blaze, which was reported around 3:30am, broke out at 150-156 West Sixth Street in the City's South Boston neighborhood.

Firefighters had heavy fire showing from the 3 story apartment house when they arrived. Boston District Chief, Car 6, transmitted the second and third alarms within 20 minutes bring in extra fire companies and men to assist in the search for victims and fight the blaze which extended to 2 other houses. The victims were found in a 3rd floor bedroom.

It had had been a quiet period in Massachusetts, after a alarming beginning to the year, for fatal fires over the last few weeks. This fatal fire brings the eastern Massachusetts fatal fire count to over a dozen persons for the year so far.

UPDATE: Investigators now believe this fire was a case of arson and that the fire was deliberately set. Subsequently, the children's deaths are being treated as homicides and not accidental deaths. No arrests have been made, but police and fire officials continue to investigate.

(Photo Lisa Hornack/The Boston Herald)