IPSWICH — Firefighters from Ipswich and Rowley teamed up on Monday to overcome heat and heavy smoke while rescuing two men from the second floor of a burning Ipswich home.
On Monday, Aug. 18, at 11:51 a.m., the Ipswich Fire Department and mutual aid partners were called to Linebrook Farm, 383 Linebrook Road, by a 911 call reporting a structure fire. While companies were still en route to the scene, they were updated by dispatcher Olivia St. Peter that people were trapped inside.
Ipswich Police arrived 11:56 a.m. and found heavy fire showing from both the front and back of the home. They were unable to penetrate the smoke conditions to get inside.
Three firefighters from Ipswich and three firefighters from Rowley then arrived at 11:58 a.m., and immediately went to work.
Two Rowley Firefighters, Lt. Merissa Titus-Abate and Lt. Matt Harney, entered the burning home, accessing the second floor in the rear via a portable fire department ladder. Inside they found an elderly man with mobility issues with his son who had rushed into the house from next door to save him. Both were trapped on the second floor with no other way out other than the window.
Simultaneously, two Ipswich firefighters, Lt. Patrick Dingle and Firefighter Blake Emerson, stretched a hose line to the building and then went up the ladder to assist the Rowley crew with the rescue. All members worked together to bring both men down the portable ladder.
The elderly man was taken to Anna Jacques Hospital in Newburyport by Action Ambulance for treatment of smoke inhalation. He was later transferred to a Boston hospital. His son was evaluated and declined transport to a local hospital..
After rescuing the men, firefighters were joined by additional mutual aid companies and initially fought the fire from inside the home. As conditions deteriorated, firefighters took a defensive posture instead, battling flames from the outside. Water supply was limited as companies battled the blaze because the water main is a dead-end. A ladder pipe operated from a Topsfield Truck Company and multiple handlines were deployed.
Two other adults were also evaluated at the scene, and one of them was transported to a local hospital for treatment of a dog bite. A dog died at the scene, and 2 cats are still missing.
A horse barn on the property was not affected by smoke or fire, but the home was a total loss.
Firefighters from Rowley, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Wenham, Essex and Topsfield provided mutual aid at the scene. Firefighters from Georgetown, Gloucester, and Hamilton covered Ipswich stations.
Ipswich Police, the Ipswich Electric Light Department, and Ipswich Utilities, Action Ambulance, and Rehab 5 all provided assistance at the scene. The American Red Cross Disaster Team offered support to the homeowners and occupants.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Ipswich Fire Department, Ipswich Police Department, and the State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire showing from both the front and rear of the building with people trapped, and they effected the rescue of two people over a portable ladder. That is a low frequency, high risk event, with a successful outcome.” said Chief Parisi. “I want to express my gratitude for the teamwork between our Ipswich and Rowley firefighters today. They train for situations such as this, and undoubtedly saved lives with their ability to work hand in hand. I also want to commend the son who risked his life to save his father. He is a true hero.”