A fire at Norwood Town Hall this afternoon caused significant damage to some offices and other areas of the building. Officials say they hope to clean up in time for the town election on Monday.
Because Town Hall had closed early for Good Friday, no one was in the building at the time of the fire except Veterans Agent Ted Mulvehill, who got out safely.
According to Norwood Fire Chief Mike Howard, the fire originated in the second floor secretaries' office, which suffered heavy fire damage and moderate smoke damage. General Manager John Carroll's and Assistant General Manager Bernie Cooper's offices suffered smoke and water damage.
“(The secretaries') offices are a wreck,” Carroll said. “There is water damage and smoke damage to my office. The rug will have to be pulled up.”
The basement floor beneath the fire was damaged from smoke and water as well.
Howard said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
At 1:04 p.m. the Norwood Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at Town Hall, which had closed at noon for the holiday.
“The Town Hall wasn’t closed long before we got the call,” Howard said.
Firefighters contained the fire to the room of origin, Howard said.
About 25 firefighters responded to the fire. Westwood and Walpole provided mutual aid.
Firefighters were called back to the scene a short time after the fire had been extinguished because someone saw smoke in the hallway, Howard said.
“It was residual smoke in the duct system that was released,” Howard said. “We will keep a couple of people here to watch the building.”
The state fire marshal started investigating the scene late this afternoon.
Computer Department Chair Mark Redlich was also called in to look at the town’s computer network to make sure there was no damage to it, Howard said.
“We are working with the general manager to get the building cleaned up by Monday for the town election,” Howard said. “Right now the smell is the issue. It’s terrible.”
Staff writer Lindsay Briggs can be reached at 781-433-8339 or at libriggs@cnc.com.
