BRIDGEWATER — On Friday, April 10, 2026, at approximately 1:23 a.m., the Bridgewater police and fire departments received a 911 call reporting a fire in the residence located at 7 Crescent Street.
According to Bridgewater Fire Chief John Schlatz and Police Chief Christopher Delmonte, Officer Marc-Stephen Hutchins arrived on scene and observed flames coming from the front of the garage.
The 911 caller, Jamie Marie Sheridan, who stopped after noticing the fire while driving by with Eduardo Alvarenga, told Officer Hutchins she knocked on the door but was unable to alert anyone inside.
Officer Hutchins then knocked on the door and woke one of the residents.
“After learning that two other people were still inside the home, Officer Hutchins entered the residence and alerted the other residents as smoke began filling the home. All three residents exited the home safely,” Fire Chief Schlatz and Police Chief Delmonte said in a joint statement. “One resident told Officer Hutchins that two cats were still inside. Officer Hutchins helped locate both cats, placed them in a carrier and assisted the residents as they evacuated.”
Additional police officers and firefighters arrived shortly thereafter. Fire crews encountered heavy flames engulfing the garage and multiple vehicles, prompting a second alarm for additional resources.
“Bridgewater firefighters and mutual aid partners initiated an aggressive exterior attack on the side of the building where flames were most intense, while other crews entered the opposite side of the home to prevent the fire from spreading further,” Fire Chief Schlatz and Police Chief Delmonte said. “During the fire, multiple gas containers reportedly exploded inside the garage. The garage ultimately collapsed, complicating firefighting operations.”
One Bridgewater firefighter sustained a minor injury at the scene and did not require medical attention. No other injuries were reported.
Mutual aid at the scene was provided by the West Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Middleborough, Halifax, Easton, Brockton, Raynham and Taunton fire departments. The Halifax Fire Department served as the Rapid Intervention Team during the fire.
The Lakeville Fire Department covered the Bridgewater Fire Headquarters during the incident, while the Hanson Fire Department provided coverage for Station No. 2.
The Department of Fire Services’ Rehab Unit responded to the scene, and the Bridgewater Department of Public Works assisted with overhaul operations.
In their statement, Fire Chief Schlatz and Police Chief Delmonte said the cause of the fire is not believed to be suspicious but remains under investigation by the Bridgewater Fire Department, Bridgewater Police detectives, and the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
“This situation could have turned out much differently if not for the quick actions of several people,” Police Chief Delmonte said. “Jamie Marie Sheridan and Eduardo Alvarenga stopped after seeing the fire, called 911 and tried to alert the residents, and Officer Hutchins immediately stepped in to make sure everyone got out safely. Their actions made a real difference.”
Bridgewater fire officials cleared the scene at approximately 9:27 a.m.
