Peabody FD tackles brush fires

PEABODY — A brush fire broke out on Sunset Drive near high tension lines on Friday afternoon and more have flared up in the area, Fire Chief Jay Dowling said. As residents and neighbors checked out the scene, emergency services, including Peabody police and fire departments, alongside Massachusetts Forest Fire Control responded to the scene, with water being pumped from Spring Pond to quench the flames. Dowling said approximately 20 acres of land were burnt on Friday and the three fire engines who reported to the call knocked down the fire.

On Saturday, “hot spots” began to flare up near Springs Pond toward Cedar Grove Cemetery, he said. Approximately 15 acres were affected. “We were out there a couple different times on Saturday,” Dowling said.



He said the brush fires “kept moving along” the area into Sunday and reached the vicinity of holes 16 and 17 of Meadow Golf Course. Brush fires like these are common to the area every few years, Dowling said. Lynn and Salem also experience the same fires in the vicinity.

The department is working to knock down any visible flames, but the brush fire is mostly smoke and underground at this point, he said. The fires have affected approximately 50 acres since Friday, Dowling said. No injuries have been reported.

He said Lynn Engine 7 helped cover the Peabody FD Friday and Saturday and the forestry department has also assisted. “We could be up there chasing this for a while,” until there is heavy rain, Dowling said. “We just need a good soaking rain.

”.