DRACUT — On Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., Dracut firefighters responded to a report of a fire near a business in the 2000 block of Lakeview Avenue.
According to the Dracut Fire Chief Michael Cunha, when firefighters arrived on scene, they located a vehicle fully engulfed in flames in the parking lot, about 20 feet from the building.
Firefighters stretched a hose line and quickly extinguished the blaze, but the vehicle was a total loss.
“I want to thank the passerby who reported this fire so that we could respond before the situation became more dangerous,” said Chief Michael Cunha.
An on-scene investigation determined that the fire most likely began when animal nesting material ignited in the engine compartment.
Chief Cunha encouraged residents to check their engine compartments as temperatures drop, because some animals may attempt to nest in engines.
“Community members should be aware that nesting material in engines can create a dangerous situation,” Chief Cunha said. “Please check under your hood a couple of times per season.”
