VIDEO: A fire at two buildings at the former Fernald School property in Waltham, Massachusetts, is being investigated as arson and may be related to two other fires at the abandoned complex. Firefighters responded on April 19 to 200 Trapelo Road for a report of a fire. On arrival, they found heavy fire in two structures โ one known as the Schoolhouse/Gym and the other the Manual Training Building. The incident went to four alarms and drew mutual aid companies from several nearby departments. Firefighters battled the flames for more than six hours before they were finally extinguished.
Officials said the fire may be related to two other fires. On Dec. 14, 2024, a fire at the Chapel of the Holy Innocents caused minor damage. The other was reported in the late morning of Jan. 18 at Chipman Hall, which caused a roof collapse. Like the April 19 fires, both of these fires took place on Saturdays. “We are asking anyone with information on recent fires on the Fernald grounds to share it with investigators,” Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell said. “There have been four fires in that area since December. These incidents are dangerous, and weโre deeply concerned that someone is going to be hurt.”
