Oak Bluffs firefighters fought a fire at the corner of Spruce Avenue and Chestnut Avenue on New Year’s Day, but their efforts were in vain. The first fire company arrived just before 3 pm, but a delay ensued when, firefighters say, they connected their hoses to an authentic-looking fire hydrant that was apparently being used as a lawn ornament.
The two-story, Victorian style, wood shingled house, at 17 Spruce Avenue, just off New York Avenue, belongs to Ronald and Rene Jackson, according to town assessors’ records.
A resident of the building got out safely, and no firefighters were injured, according to Oak Bluffs assistant fire chief Tony Ferreira. But, he said, there was no chance to save the building.
"It was fully involved," Mr. Ferreira said. "Because there were no occupants in the home, the decision was made to make a defensive attack."
Firefighters kept the flames from spreading to other buildings. The neighborhood is densely packed, with houses just a few feet from each other, on narrow, winding streets.
Mr. Ferreira said investigators will investigate the fire hydrant that diverted and delayed firefighters.
"We wasted precious time hooking up to a fire hydrant that was nonexistent," Mr. Ferreira said. "It’s unacceptable to have to waste that kind of time. In a fire, time is everything."
Firefighters from Edgartown and Tisbury supported the Oak Bluffs department. Fire investigators are already at work, but assistant chief Ferreira said it will likely be several weeks before they can determine how the fire began.
Reader Comments
When posting a comment you agree to our Terms of Service
If you have questions about comments or comment policy, check out our FAQ page.
Disqus.
Login About Disqus…Glad you liked it. Would you like to share?Facebook
ShareNo thanksSharing this page …
Thanks! Close
Login Add New Comment
Post as … .
Sort by popular now Sort by best rating Sort by newest first Sort by oldest first Showing 21 comments
Andrea Maynard 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand If you click on the second picture icon, it shows the actual fire hydrant which definitely looks legit, however the caption of that picture states that it was located in a DOG PEN!! They definitely should have questioned the authenticity of a fire hydrant in such a location, as fire hydrants are town property, therefore blocking them, or in any way hindering access to them (such as penning them out with your dog) should have caused someone to scratch their head.
A Like Reply 11 hours ago 6 Likes F .
Bobcedg 5 comments collapsed Collapse Expand the fire department should know where there hydrants are no excuse for not knowing. What a shame to try and pass the buck this is a big time screw up by the fire department. The chief should take all fireman out and know where every hydrant is in town.
A Like Reply 6 hours ago 5 Likes F .
Steve Jenkinson 4 comments collapsed Collapse Expand Sure, right after you devote an afternoon or two of your own un-paid time to do the same. It wasn’t a "big-time screw up by the fire department", it was a simple mistake, fueled by a poor choice of lawn decoration. I’d like to see what you would have done in the same situation. It’s easy to criticise after the fact, and sometimes fun as well, but, it was an easy mistake to be made and probably had little effect on the outcome. We should be thankful we have so many people in the towns who devote their spare time to the various departments, who work hard at their jobs, and are willing to put their safety at risk for others. We shouldn’t be harping on them for little things that went awry, besides, I’m pretty sure this won’t happen again.
A Like Reply 5 hours ago in reply to Bobcedg 7 Likes F .
flaviense 2 comments collapsed Collapse Expand i agree Steve but if they take on the responsibility of this job i think they should also be willing to take criticism when things go wrong IM SURE NOONE DID THIS ON PURPOSE but this should be a major learning experience for the town and the fire department.. If our taxes are paying for new trucks and equipment i think we have the right to recieve service from the dept.. that WE deserve without questioning a persons salary
A Like Reply 5 hours ago in reply to Steve Jenkinson 3 Likes F .
Steve Jenkinson 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand I for one, am tired of all the bitching. Remember the guy who when the restaurant burned in VH, he made sure to time all the firefighters (that really helped, My Stopwatch Superhero)then bitch? Or the Prowten fire, on a day so cold the equipment froze so they had difficulty getting water, and people bitched. Now, someone leaves a red fire hydrant in their lawn and a fireman makes the mistake of trying to hook up to it, now people are bitching again. These guys don’t get paid crap for what they do as it is. They don’t need a new fire truck, you do. They don’t need to respond to every false automatic alarm call at all hours, but, you do to keep your insurance rates down. What? Do people think that this isn’t going to be brought up during the next meeting? Anyone who thinks they could run things better, I challenge to join up, rise through the ranks and do it.
A Like Reply 3 hours ago in reply to flaviense 2 Likes F .
patsfan11 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand maybe the next time there is a hydrant issue the fire dept should get buster the k9 he will know the differance between a lawn decoration and a working one.
A Like Reply 2 hours ago in reply to Steve Jenkinson 0 Like
F .
obcitizen 2 comments collapsed Collapse Expand Instead of making such an issue over the fake fire hydrant, why don’t we commend all the fire fighters that were there doing a great job for the community. These guys are volunteers and are there for us when we need them at all hours, no matter what the weather. Maybe you all that are making fun of this situation should do more for your community..
A Like Reply 6 hours ago 5 Likes F .
BloodyRue Andrue, http://mvmb.fishspace.net 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand I have seen fire hydrants in South Bend Indiana painted like people.
A Like Reply 1 hour ago in reply to obcitizen 0 Like
F .
OB_SPY 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand The lost of that house so sad. The owners appeared to put alot of effort into renovations. I commend the fire and police people for doing a excellent job at the site. The fake hydrant was just a ruse for their dogs I am sure, nothing more. This area of OB is up and coming by the look of the neighborhood homes. I am sure once the owners recover for this lost, we’ll see another great house on the lot. To the firemen – thanks! To the owners of the home – keep your head up.
A Like Reply 4 hours ago 3 Likes F .
Thomas Hodgson 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand Here’s a possible solution….Many towns paint working hydrants in particular colors. So if you want to collect fire hydrants, go ahead, but you can’t paint them "town" or "official" colors. Fire hydrant lovers are happy, firemen know where the water is. End of problem.
A Like Reply 12 hours ago 3 Likes F .
obcitizen 2 comments collapsed Collapse Expand You think it’s funny that they attached to a fake fire hydrant. This risked the life of all the fire fighters and if there had been occupants in the house – people should know better than to have fire hydrants as a lawn ornament. The fire fighters work hard at doing their jobs for the community and don’t need to run into obstacles like that — shame on you….
If anyone has a hydrant as a lawn ornament, let’s replace it immediately with something else or simply remove it. It’s our job as citizens of this town to protect each other as well as our dedicated fire fighters…
A Like Reply 12 hours ago 3 Likes F .
patsfan11 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand the story is getting better and better. thr hydrant was in the yard next door by the doghouse. hahahahooooohahaha
A Like Reply 11 hours ago in reply to obcitizen 4 Likes F .
Islandgirl86 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand The Oak Bluffs fire department did a great job responding to that house fire and was joined by two other towns providing their support where needed. It’s a shame that there are people who have no idea what really goes into fighting a fulling engulfed two story home. Those volunteer firefighters risk their lives to save others, shame on some of you people for pointing out the flaws that might have happened. It’s not the departments fault for responding to and immediately going to the first RED hydrant available. RED hydrants or RED and WHITE hydrants are active hydrants. It is completely illegal to have in your possession and active colored hydrant ie: red on your property as a lawn ornament! They are to be recolored blue or green to indicate that it is inactive. The second it was discovered inactive the department made the corrections needed and continued to do what they have been trained to do. I see nothing wrong with the way things unfolded. A mistake was made and fixed appropriately maybe someone should question the homeowner as to why and how he was in possession of an up to date red fire hydrant in the first place. Great job to the Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and Edgartown Fire Departments, and EMT’ S that responded.
A Like Reply 2 hours ago 2 Likes F .
Christon R. Kurker-Stewart 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand It’s ridiculous for anyone to blame the fire department. Every volunteer member must maintain a mental map of where every single fire hydrant is in town? Really? How would that work exactly?
Also, I’m sure that each one of us commenters, upon arriving at a fully engulfed house fire, would take the time to put aside the adrenaline and urgency and weigh the possibility that a fire hydrant isn’t painted the right shade of red, or is too close to a fence/pen, etc. to be in service. This is a simple situation-specific mistake, and no amount of training or otherwise could prevent it. I am glad the fire was put out before spreading and that no one was trapped.
And yes, why don’t more people volunteer?
A Like Reply 5 hours ago 2 Likes F .
flaviense 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand dont they own pump trucks??????
A Like Reply 5 hours ago 2 Likes F .
shortsmv 2 comments collapsed Collapse Expand Seriously, who has a fake fire hydrant???
A Like Reply 21 hours ago 2 Likes F .
Velomobile1 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand It looks like a decommissioned high hydrant that someone set up for their dog.
A Like Reply 3 hours ago in reply to shortsmv 0 Like
F .
Magda Pereira 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand that was sad!…i stopped near by the house, it was awful…
A Like Reply 10 hours ago 1 Like F .
BeetleBung 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand THEY ATTACHED THE HOSE TO A FAKE FIRE HYDRANT???
Is this a joke?
Terrible
A Like Reply 21 hours ago 1 Like F .
PatGregory 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand The presence of the hydrant would make it easy to err in a moment of emergency responses. Criticism of the firemen is unfortuante and poorly thought out. It is also noteworthy that the criticisms are all offered by anonymous posters. The Times should rethink the anonymous policy.
A Like Reply 1 hour ago 0 Like
F .
livinginmass 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand This hydrant was no lawn art. I went by this a.m. It was at the far end of a 4 foot or so dog cage.At the far end of the street that the house fire was on. The O.B.F.D. had to enter the dog’s pen in order to hook up to the non working fire hydrant. There are two hydrants on New York Ave. across from Chestnut Ave. A stone’s throw away from the house. Should it not be part of there job to know the hydrant’s are located?
A Like Reply 2 hours ago 0 Like
F .
M Subscribe by email S RSS .comments powered by Disqus Martha’s Vineyard CalendarMartha’s Vineyard WebcamsMartha’s Vineyard Movie SchedulesMartha’s Vineyard Ferry SchedulesMartha’s Vineyard DirectoriesSearch
