Middleborough Fire Department Lost Power in Storm

MIDDLEBOROUGH — As the Nor'easter downed trees and power lines all across southeastern Massachusetts on Wednesday, Middleborough's Fire Department lost power to the station headquarters for nearly seven hours this morning.

A release from officials noted that the fire station at 125 N. Main St. lost power at around 3:30 a.m. today before its backup generator failed, causing a loss of power and radio and computer communications at headquarters.

Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Lance Benjamino immediately diverted all calls for service through the police department, while fire crews temporarily used mobile radios until power was partially restored to the station around 10 a.m.

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Officials said the station's phone lines are now operable and in use.

The incident further complicated emergency crews' efforts to address the hundreds of calls for service across Middleborough this morning.

Middleborough police have received over 200 calls for service since the storm began Tuesday night, officials said, while the fire department has received over 150.

"Our crews have been working tirelessly to field and respond to all of the calls we've received since the start of the storm," Police Chief Joseph Perkins said.

"Thankfully we have not gotten any reports of any injuries and property damage has been limited given the amount of trees and branches that have come down."

Damage from the storm is still being assessed.

As many as 28 roads were closed throughout the town during the storm due to downed trees, limbs, utility poles and wires, according to officials.

Town Manager Robert Nunes said Middleborough was "hit particularly hard by this storm" and that town employees and first responders have been working for the past 24 hours to address the hundreds of calls received.

Damage to an elevated water storage tank under construction. Courtesy Town of Middleborough

"We're asking everyone to please stay off the roads and allow the crews in town to operate and continue the cleanup and restoration process," Benjamino said.

"It is unclear right now when power is going to be restored, so we're asking for everyone's patience and understanding. A lot of people are working very hard in response to this storm."

All three fire stations are open and fully staffed, and there are currently 22 police officers on duty currently, with four officers answering phones and coordinating road clearing and utility operations.

Anyone who has an emergency is asked to call 911.

Residents without power can visit Middleborough Gas & Electric's Outage Center website to report an outage and to receive updates.

Electricity customers can also call 508-947-1371 to report an outage or downed power line.

Officials reminded residents to stay away from all downed power lines.

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