Wellesley PD Officer Runs into Burning Building

An officer from Wellesley was the first on the scene--and inside the building--at a fire on Ashmont Street last night.

Monday afternoon, around 4 p.m., Wellesley Police Officer Rick Weaver was driving to a traffic detail when he came upon the garage fire, according to a post on the Wellesley Police Department website. With the help of a passing FedEx driver, he forced his way into the house to check for occupants. He double-checked the house--looking inside a room located over the fire--and only after confirming it was empty did he flee to safety. 

In addition to police and fire teams from Wellesley, Newton and Weston fire departments also responded to help put out the flames. About half an hour later, reports came in that much of the fire had been knocked down, but that firefighters were chasing some of the flames, and splitting open walls.

No injuries were reported after the fire, and the cause is still under investigation.

According to the Wellesley Police announcement, Officer Weaver is a few weeks from retirement. His usual beat is as the Wellesley Police Department prosecutor at Dedham District Court.