Public Safety Watch: Fernald fire being investigated as arson

 By CHRISTIAN MAITRE
Waltham Times Contributing Writer

The Fire Department is treating the recent fire at the Fernald property as an arson case, although officials said the cause of the blaze remains unknown. 

The property is no stranger to arson. A document given to The Waltham Times by Lt. Michael Murphy, the department’s public records officer, showed that all four previous fires at the property were determined to be arson. 

Fires in 2024 and 2021 occurred in the Chapel Building, while the fires in 2020 and 2016 took place in the Administration Building and North Building, respectively. 

According to the same document, the specific cause of the most recent fire on Jan. 18 of this year is yet to be determined but initial findings point to arson. Police did not specify what findings indicated arson.

Additional public safety items 

A summary of police activity on Jan. 17 through Jan. 23 is as follows: 

On Jan. 17 at 11:10 a.m., police responded to a report of larceny at the Walgreens at 20 Weston St. The report was determined to be unfounded. 

At 1:39 p.m. police responded to a call about a stolen vehicle at 24 Vernon St. It was determined the caller’s friend had been delayed in returning the car. No one was cited. 

At 5:04 p.m. police responded to a report of a customer refusing to leave PhysicianOne Urgent Care at 1019 Trapelo Road. The customer left before the police arrived. 

Also on that day police responded to three calls involving illegally parked motor vehicles. 

On Jan. 18 at 2:27 a.m., police responded to a motor vehicle accident at 21 Middlesex Road. Police observed minor damage and assisted with paperwork. 

At 1:07 p.m. police responded to a report of larceny at the Market Basket at 110 Market Place Drive. An individual claimed that unauthorized charges had been made on the individual’s credit card. A report was filed with the police. 

At 9:09 p.m. police responded to a report of a guest refusing to leave Embassy Suites at 550 Winter St. after management told the individual to do so. Police stood by as the guest left voluntarily. 

On Jan. 19 at 2:22 a.m., police arrested Brandon Cutler, 34, of 143 Third Ave., Newport, R.I., on a warrant for a suspended or revoked registration and an uninsured motor vehicle or trailer. 

At 9:30 a.m. police were called to break up an argument at 146 Florence Road. Two individuals were arguing over a past property transaction. Officers defused the situation. 

Ediris Kintu, 53, of 83 Lexington St., Waltham, was arrested and charged at 4:16 p.m. on a warrant for larceny under $1,200 and larceny from a building. 

David Elliot, 57, of 9 Eisenhower Drive, Norton, was arrested and charged at 11:30 p.m. with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. This is his second OUI offense. 

On Jan. 20 at 1:48 a.m., police responded to a motor vehicle hit-and-run on Bruce Road. A motor vehicle struck a pole and damaged a fire alarm box. The driver was unable to be located and the matter is still under investigation. 

At 2:22 p.m. police responded to a call about someone getting bitten by a dog. The call turned out to be unfounded. 

Also on that day police responded to seven different calls involving road obstructions. 

On Jan. 21 at 9:21 a.m., police arrested Genesis Sanchez, 38, of 727 Marrett Road, Lexington, on a warrant for assault with a dangerous weapon. 

Jennifer Ross, 48, of 42 Washington St., Stoneham, was arrested and charged at 5:29 p.m. for misdemeanor breaking and entering as well as trespassing. 

At 6:34 p.m. police responded to a report of larceny at Sumo Liquors at 1093 Lexington St. Three males were caught on security footage allegedly stealing bottles of alcohol totaling $60. The matter is under investigation. 

On Jan. 22 at 4:12 a.m., police responded to a report of an individual experiencing breathing problems at a Pine Street residence. 

At 4:21 p.m. police responded to a bank alarm at Rockland Trust at 1290 Main St. The building was found to be secure. 

Also on that day police responded to four separate calls involving motor vehicle accidents. 

On Jan. 23 Deborah Barrios, 53, homeless, of Waltham, was arrested and charged at 2:39 p.m. on a warrant for shoplifting by asportation.

UPDATE: An incident involving domestic violence was removed from the log due to concerns for the privacy of the victims.