Dr. John Howard, a member of the Marion Board of Health, was awoken on February 18 by the news that his garage at 62 Water Street in Marion was on fire. No one was injured but for a minor injury to a responding firefighter who was later treated at Tobey Hospital in Wareham and released.
The detached garage was completely destroyed, and a pickup truck outside of it sustained damage resulting in a total loss.
“The facts are the facts,” Dr. Howard told The Wanderer. “Early in the morning, the neighbor sees the fire. By the time the trucks were there, it was all engulfed.”
Dr. Howard said he was sleeping during the 4:00 am hour when the fire was discovered. “No clue,” he said as to the cause.
“The building is completely destroyed, so it leaves little evidence to investigate,” said Marion Fire Chief Brian Jackvony. “We’re confident in that it’s not suspicious, but the cause is not determined.”
The Marion Fire Department received the call at 4:47 am, dispatched personnel at 4:51 am, and was on scene at 4:53 am. Citing close proximity of nearby houses, Engine 1 requested a second alarm. Marion requested assistance from Wareham and Mattapoisett, and Rochester Fire was on call, according to Chief Jackvony. Marion responding units included: C-1, C-2, A-2, E-1, E-2, Ladder -1, and S-2.
On February 4, the Marion Fire Department received $12,261 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the 2020 Assistance to Firefighters COVID-19 Supplemental Grant (AFG-S) program, part of the federal CARES Act.
By Mick Colageo