Overview
- A fast-moving fire on River Road in Winthrop began shortly before 4:30 p.m. Sunday and quickly escalated to a four-alarm response as flames and heavy black smoke spread between houses.
- An electric or hybrid vehicle parked between the two homes burned and the blaze consumed both houses, leaving them total losses and displacing four families overnight.
- Two people were taken to hospital from the scene, including a woman in labor who gave birth the next morning and whose newborn and mother are reported to be recovering.
- Multiple neighboring departments and off-duty firefighters answered the mutual-aid call, and Winthrop’s fire chief said EV battery fires can burn hotter, reignite, and demand far larger water and staffing resources, prompting calls for manufacturer changes.
- The Winthrop Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the origin of the blaze, town teams are coordinating short-term aid for the displaced families, and officials have not yet issued a final cause determination.