Plymouth Commemorates 50th Anniversary Of East Line Road Fire

PLYMOUTH, MA — The Plymouth Fire Department released a statement in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the East Line Road Fire, which burned 35 acres of Myles Standish State Forest and 130 acres of private land on May 15, 1971.

According to Plymouth Fire Chief G. Edward Bradley, seven Plymouth firefighters were burned while fighting the blaze after a sudden shift in wind caused flames to move directly in the path of the two brush breakers they were riding in.

“Unfortunately, not many people remember this extremely dangerous fire and those who bravely fought to stop the spread of the flames,” said Bradley in a statement. “It’s important for us to remember this anniversary in honor of the firefighters who were injured and their families, and to remind ourselves of the potential dangers large-scale wood fires have. Even when responding to smaller brush fires, firefighters always exercise extreme caution and are aware of the circumstances they are in as they have no control over how the weather may change at any given moment.”

Two of the firefighters involved were seriously burned, two required ten day hospital care, and four others were treated for burns and released the same day. The District 2 State Fire Warden who was stationed out of Myles Standish State Forest at the time of the fire was also injured.

Ahead of the anniversary of this fire, the Plymouth Fire Department is asking residents to be careful of any open flames, properly dispose of smoking materials, and use extra care when cooking outdoors.