WINCHENDON — On Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at approximately 8:09 p.m., the Winchendon Dispatch Center received multiple 911 calls reporting a structure fire at a large barn at 50 Old Center.
According to a statement from the Winchendon Fire Department, residents were advised to leave an adjacent building.
“As multiple reports came in reporting the building fully involved, Lieutenant Garrett Wante requested a second alarm for additional assistance,” the Winchendon Fire Department said in its statement. “Upon arrival of Engine 1, Lieutenant Wante reported heavy fire throughout the barn and requested a third alarm to the scene as well as water tenders [i.e., water tankers] to supplement the town’s water supply.”
Photo Credit: Ret. Deputy Chief Ricci Ruschioni
Before firefighters arrived on scene, the barn doors and gates had been opened to allow chickens and ducks housed inside to escape, according to the Winchendon Fire Department.
“Winchendon Fire quickly went into a defensive mode on the barn and concentrated on keeping the flames and embers from spreading to the large home. Once the fire was extinguished the efforts turned to getting the residents back in the adjacent home,” the Winchendon Fire Department said.
Town building and wiring officials worked with the Winchendon Fire Department to isolate power to the barn area and re-energize the home, allowing residents to return later that night.
Mutual aid was provided to the Winchendon Fire Department on scene by firefighters from Gardner, Templeton, Ashburnham, Westminster, Royalston, Hubbardston, Jaffrey, and Rindge. Water tenders from Troy, Richmond, Fitzwilliam, and New Ipswich were also staged at the scene.
Photo credit: Ret. Deputy Chief Ricci Ruschioni
Station coverage during the incident was provided by the Peterborough Fire Department and Phillipston Fire Department, with Phillipston handling a medical call elsewhere in town during the fire, the Winchendon Fire Department said.
“The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s office and the District 8 Investigation Unit were notified and responded,” the Winchendon Fire Department said. “The scene Rehab Unit responded to assist firefighters at the scene.”
No injuries were reported. As of 9 a.m. this morning, the cause of the fire remained under investigation, the Winchendon Fire Department reported.
