Webster, MA – Hundreds of Cannabis plants were discovered by Webster Firefighters when they responded to a reported structure fire Friday Morning.
At approximately 10:05 AM on Friday, October 11th, 2024, the Webster Fire Department, along with Webster Police and EMS, were dispatched to 57 North Main St for a reported structure fire.
The first units on the scene reported heavy smoke in the stairwell leading to the second floor, prompting a working fire assignment which brought the Dudley Fire Department to the scene and Douglas Fire Department to station coverage. Due to the construction of the duplex, crews were not able to immediately locate the source of the smoke, having to utilize thermal imaging cameras (TICs) to locate the fire. Crews were able to locate and extinguish the fire in approximately 10 minutes.
Our text alert subscribers were notified of this incident in real-time. Stay informed about local public safety events by joining our SMS alert service for just $4 per month. Sign up today!
According to a release by the Department of Fire Services (DFS), contributed to by Fire Chief Brian Hickey, Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw, and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine, firefighters located hundreds of cannabis plants, along with pesticides, fertilizers, and other illicit drugs within an illegal grow room inside the structure.
Members of the State Police Bomb Squad and DFS Joint Hazard Incident Response Team (JHIRT) responded to the scene to assist in mitigating hazards of the grow operation. This team is composed of Hazmat Technicians with specialized knowledge in reactive and energetic materials.
Investigators determined “the fire started in a second-floor grow room with abundant cannabis plants. They determined that the most likely cause was an overloaded power strip that powered lights, fans, and other electrical appliances.”
It is currently unclear if any charges have been filed as a result of the grow operation or fire.
Webster EMS transported one resident to an area hospital for observation. Eight residents were displaced by the fire.
Agencies that responded included the Webster Fire Department, Webster Police Department, Webster EMS, Dudley Fire Department, Douglas Fire Department, Department of Fire Services Joint Hazard Incident Response Team, and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshals Office.
Quiet Corner Alerts maintains a policy of not revealing the names of victims or suspects unless they are actively being sought by law enforcement or pose a perceived threat to the public.
