A sergeant patrolling overnight in Waltham, Massachusetts, is being credited with helping prevent a tragedy after she noticed what appeared to be the start of a fire near the front porch of a group home.
Newburyport Police Lt. Matthew Simons tells NBC10 Boston that. Sgt. Megan Tierney was on her regular patrol around about 3:45 a.m. when she made the astute observation on Spofford Street and quickly called for backup, alerting the Newburyport Fire Department and the residents inside.
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"This could have been a tragic incident if not for the awareness and quick action of Sgt. Tierney," Chief Stephen Bradbury III said in a statement. "We are very grateful that no one was hurt in this fire."
“The awareness, astute observations, and quick communication were paramount in a successful and coordinated response to a critical incident that could have had a much more tragic outcome," Simons said. "The quick actions and bravery by Sgt. Tierney and the other responding officers undoubtedly saved lives.
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According to Lt. Simons, Sgt. Tierney observed the fire as it was just beginning at a state-run facility that houses four females with disabilities, and two caretakers who stay overnight.
Sgt. Tierney and her backup initially had a little difficulty getting into the house, but unbelievably there were no injuries to anyone, Simons said.
All residents of the group home were outside when firefighters arrived to find heavy fire showing from the outside of the house and porch.
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According to the police lieutenant, three of the residents were able to get out on their own, and one person, described as non-ambulatory, had to be carried out and was later transferred to an ambulance for care.
"It just lends credit to the fact that under the cover of darkness when most of the community is asleep that we do have officers out there patrolling the streets," Simons said. "We're just very fortunate that Sgt. Tierney was where she was last night or early this morning and made those observations."
Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the flames on the outside of the home, preventing flames from spreading inside.
"The timing couldn't have been better to prevent a tragedy," he added. "I'm just proud to see the professional and valor that was shown by our officers last night and our partners, first responders and the fire department and the EMS, coming to aid the scene and knock down the fire quickly as well, prevented what could have been a much greater tragedy."
Residents of the home are temporarily displaced but they were transferred to other facilities and will be in the care of the company that runs the group home, police said.
There was no immediate word on what caused the fire. An investigation is ongoing.
