House Fire on East Cross Early Saturday Caused $20K in Damage

Norwood firefighters responded to a house fire on East Cross St. over the weekend that caused an estimated $20,000 in damage, Norwood Fire spokesman George Morrice said in an email Monday.

Firefighters received the call early Saturday morning, in the midst of a thunderstorm that set off multiple alarms around town. No one was injured in the fire, which was on the exterior of the home at the meter box and service entrance wire locations, Morrice said. The fire was likely caused by lightning from the storm.

Alarms started coming in at roughly 2:30 a.m., Morrice said, due to multiple lightning strikes across town.

"An apartment complex, a Rte. 1 hotel and Guild Medical all had alarm activations," his email statement said. "Fire apparatus were on location for the alarm at the Hampton Inn and trying to locate the source of an electrical odor when the call came in for the house fire on East Cross. Fortunately, the lone ambulance crew for the shift was returning from a medical call when the call came in for the house fire. The crew was able to respond to the fire and assist in verifying the home was vacant."

Captain Kevin Romines came from the hotel alarm call with one engine company and the Ladder 1 truck to respond to the house. The fire was completely extinguished and the scene cleared by 4:32 a.m.

The Westwood Fire Department provided station coverage while Norwood crews were out.