PHOTOS: Baker Ave Propane Leak Expected to Flame Out Overnight

A popped valve late Monday morning led to a serious propane leak, which led to a controlled burn at a construction site in Concord industrial park and a long day – and night – for the CFD and gas company.

It was late morning when the call came in to the Concord Fire Department – 11:44 a.m., to be exact. A truck had hit a valve at the former SolidWorks site at 300 Baker Avenue, and an underground propane tank was leaking. Upon arrival the engine company found a small leak from a damaged valve. An investigation revealed the valve was badly damaged, with propane leaking from its many fractures. The building company, Normandy Real Estate Partners, called in the gas company, Eastern Propane, who determined to locate an evacuation valve to unload the product—about 250 to 300 gallons of liquid propane from a 500-gallon tank—but, as it turns out, there wasn’t a valve. The tank itself wasn’t particularly large, but propane’s expansion ratio is 270:1…

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Brush Fire Near Batemans Pond Tuesday Afternoon

The fire covered three to four acres.

Concord firefighters battled a three to four-acre brush fire this afternoon past the end of Hugh Cargill Road off Lowell Road. The fire, which was called in at about 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, was back in a remote area of Estabrook Woods near Batemans Pond, according to Concord Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Kelley. Although the area’s recent dry weather probably caused the fire, it also enabled the department’s apparatus to maneuver in the sometimes wet and muddy area, Kelley said. A number of neighboring towns have had brush fires in recent weeks, he said, but this was Concord’s first. Crews were still on scene at about 3:35 p.m. About 25 firefighters worked the blaze, including those from Concord, Bedford, Hanscom Air Force Base and two state …

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UPDATE: Missing Child Has Been Found Unharmed

Missing 7-year-old located at friend's house.

  UPDATE: Police Chief Barry Neal confirmed the missing boy has been located at a friend's house. He is unharmed, and there is still no suspicion of foul play. Neal said police are following up with the child and his family.    Police and Fire personnel were dispatched at approximatley 11:30 a.m. for a missing 7-year-old white male. The child, from Prairie Street, was last seen walking a 3-month-old Shitzu dog, and was reported missing when he didn't return after 45 minutes. The boy was expected to be walking along his regular route around Thoreau School. Emergency personnel set up a command post at the school, and searched for the boy off Pine Street. Police Chief Barry Neal said there is no reason to suspect any criminal activity …

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Image Gallery: Veterans Day Flag Retiring Ceremony

Concord Fire Department conducts the annual retirement of American flags.

As part of this morning's events in recognition of Veterans Day, the Concord Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee, with the help of the Concord Fire Department, conducted the town's annual American flag retirement ceremony.  Local veterans along side Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cubs and Brownies, assisted with the ceremony that took place over three ceremonial fires in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Elise Woodward said, "Annually on Veterans Day, the citizens of Concord gather to respectfully retire American flags that are worn and tattered. Theses flags have served the nation well, but are worn to a condition where they are no longer fitting emblems of America — a nation whose ideals are not worn and …

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Town Manager's Report: Emergency Management Grant, New Fire Truck Coming Soon, CPA Projects to be Decided

Highlights of Town Manager Christopher Whelan's weekly report.

The following information was provided in Town Manager Christopher Whelan's weekly report. Emergency Management According to Town Manager Christopher Whelan's weekly report, the Concord Fire Department's new Ladder 1 truck will be prepared for delivery next week. Additionally, the town was recently award a $13,064 grant for Emergency Management Equipment. The funds will be used for new communication equipment and a portable pump. Whelan said the Fire Department logged 43 emergency calls during the snowstorm last weekend, though did not report any major incidents. Police and fire personnel, Whelan says in the report, responded to "power outages, trees and wires down, minor vehicle crashes, parking related issues and a variety of other storm…

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UPDATE: Cause of Nimrod Drive Fire Under Investigation

Concord receives mutual aid from Maynard, Lincoln and Acton during a morning fire Tuesday.

Additional information was added to this report late Tuesday. Capt. Owen Neville of the Concord Fire Department said the fire at 119 Nimrod Drive was initially called in just after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Neville said the house is currently undergoing renovations with an addition being added to the back of the house. The fire is believed to have started on the second floor of the addition. "We located the fire on the second floor and were able to extinguish it without too much damage," Neville said. Because the house was already undergoing renovations, Neville said no walls had to be taken down, significantly reducing the amount of damage to the home. Damage is estimated at approximately $25,000. Neville said a female occupant of the …

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Town Manager's Report: Fire Station Renovations, Senior Concerns, and Requests for Proposals

Highlights from Town Manager Christopher Whelan's weekly report.

The following information was provided in Town Manager Christopher Whelan's weekly report. Renovations to the two fire stations are moving along. The first floor work in Station 1 is progressing, with the plastering work complete and painting beginning this week with trim work to follow. At Station 2, bids for the cupola went out in September, and the contract has been awarded to Laliberty Construction, with work beginning this week. Fire Chief Mark Cotreau will also represent Concord at a Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency briefing this week to begin the application process for reimbursement for resources expended during Tropical Storm Irene. A number of requests for proposals were issued by the town recently. Two came from the …

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Week in Review: A Car Accident, Lost Dog, and a Grant For a New CCHS

A look back at this week's headlines.

Another week has come and gone in Concord. Here is a look back at some of this past week's biggest stories. On Sunday, Sept. 25, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a flat bed tow truck ran a red light at the intersection of Pine and Main streets, colliding with another vehicle carrying a family of five, and eventually crashing against the West Concord Union Church causing damage to a foundation wall. While no one was seriously injured, everyone involved was transported to Emerson Hospital with minor injuries. During the confusion of the accident the family's dog, Coco, ran away from the vehicle, and became the biggest story of the week. People from all over Concord and the surrounding area set out food and water, searched under porches and in …

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Concord FD Says Goodbye to Two Good Jakes

Two of Concord's most respected Fire Captains retired recently. This weekend there was a Firemen's Ball to honor their dedicated service.

Back in June, the Concord Fire Department saw two of its most dedicated and respected Fire Captains retire. Saturday night at the Armory, 91 Everett Street, Senior Captains Donald R. Prentiss and Kenneth J. O'Donnell, said goodbye to their vocation after a collective 70 years of service. The pair was honored with a Firemen's Ball sponsored by the Concord Firefighters Relief Association and organized by Concord Firefighter, Sean Murphy. Dozens of firefighters, friends and family enjoyed food from Piccolino's Restaurant out of Shirley, listened to classic rock tunes spun by DJ Terry Moran, held presentations and watched slide shows honoring the retirees, and were treated to the Worcester Pipes and Drums Players giving the captains a solemn …

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Car Crashes Into Sushi and Hibachi Asian Gourmet Restaurant

Motor vehicle crashes through a wall at 794 Elm Street.

Just before 4:30 p.m. this afternoon, a silver Mercedes sedan crashed into the Sushi and Hibachi Asian Gourmet Restaurant, 794 Elm Street, breaking through the front wall. The restaurant is the last building on Elm Street before the Rte. 2 merge. A member of the Concord Fire Department at the scene said what likely happened is the car took off from a parked position in the front lot of the building, accelerating in reverse rather than forward. No injuries occurred. Traffic on Rte. 2 westbound was slowed due to the accident. The firefighter said the building has been evacuated and will remain so until the Building Department can assess the damage. The firefighter indicated there was a gas stove on the floor above where the accident …

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