Onset Sees Gas Leak and Brush Fire at Same Time

WAREHAM — Onset firefighters evacuated residents after a massive leak in a gas main on Wednesday afternoon — and also put out a large brush fire that had simultaneously sparked amid critical fire conditions.

The National Weather Service had issued a red flag warning for dangerous fire conditions on Wednesday, when a brush fire ripped through five acres of land off Cranberry Highway.

Fire officials said that despite the high winds and dry weather driving the flames, crews managed to extinguish the blaze before any homes were damaged.

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Firefighters were first called to Onset Avenue after construction workers struck a gas main at around 2:53 p.m. Wednesday.

Emergency crews checked homes in the area and two extra engine companies were called in to help evacuate residents.

National Grid came and fixed the leak within an hour and a half, with no injuries or property damage reported in the incident.

Meanwhile, officials said Onset Fire Captain Gene Crocker noticed smoke at the back of 3005 Cranberry Highway.

Wareham Fire Department Assistant Chief Patrick Haskell diverted from the gas leak to investigate the smoke and found a large brush fire on the railroad tracks.

Onset and Wareham crews then began battling the fast-moving brush fire with multiple Brush Breakers.

Officials said the fire was made worse by strong winds and dry conditions, but firefighters were able to get it under control within half an hour, although it took several more hours to fully extinguish.

The blaze was put out completely by around 7 p.m. after burning five acres.

According to Onset fire officials, help was provided from Wareham, Carver, Bourne, Plymouth, and Marion Fire Departments.

Neither incident resulted in any injuries, officials said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.