TEMPLETON — On Thursday, July 2, 2026, at approximately 2:06 a.m., firefighters with the Templeton Fire Department were dispatched to IAA Templeton, an auto auction facility at 223 Baldwinville Road, following reports of a large column of smoke.
According to the Templeton Fire Department, the first arriving engine company and Fire Chief David Dickie found a significant fire involving more than 15 vehicles.
With limited water available at the scene and the immediate threat of the fire spreading to additional vehicles, a second alarm was requested, the Templeton Fire Department reported. The response was later upgraded to a third alarm as the fire escalated and additional personnel were needed.
Mutual aid departments worked together to establish a reliable water supply, requiring the deployment of more than 2,000 feet of large-diameter supply hose, the Templeton Fire Department said. Once a sustained water supply was established, crews continued suppression operations and brought the fire under control.
A total of 57 vehicles sustained fire damage during the incident, according to the Templeton Fire Department.
No injuries to firefighters were reported.
The Templeton Fire Department thanked mutual aid partners from the Barre, Gardner, Phillipston, Hubbardston, Westminster, and Winchendon fire departments for their rapid response and assistance. The department also thanked the Templeton Communications Center and the Templeton Community Emergency Response Team for their support throughout the incident.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No additional information is being released at this time, the department said.
