NORTH READING — On Friday, June 26, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., firefighters with the North Reading Fire Department were dispatched to 279 Main Street, a multi-unit residential structure, following a report of a fire in one of the units.
According to North Reading Fire Chief Don Stats, Engine 3 and Ambulance 2 responded with Captain Mike Tannian and firefighters Jason Tannian, Carisma Michel, Ian Helmick, Chris McCann, and Kevin Robert.
When crews arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from one of the units and declared a working fire.
All of the occupants had evacuated the building before firefighters arrived. Crews stretched hoses into the building and quickly knocked the fire down, containing it to the unit where it started.
“The fire is believed to have started as a cooking fire that spread to the surrounding areas in the unit,” Chief Stats said.
After knocking down the fire, crews remained on scene and confirmed that it had not spread to any other units in the building.
Mutual aid at the scene was provided by the Wilmington, Lynnfield and Middleton fire departments. Andover and Wakefield firefighters provided station coverage.
“I wish to commend our crews, and our mutual aid response, for their swift response to this incident,” Chief Stats said. “Thanks to their professionalism and collaboration, this fire was knocked down and contained before it could spread throughout the body of the structure. Their work prevented what could have been a significant level of damage.”
