Radio blamed for deck fire

Gloucester Daily Times

Rick Melanson was just being a good neighbor.

But his quick, neighborly response to a house fire on Crestview Terrace went way beyond the usual. It may have saved lives as well as property.

Melanson, 21, who also lives on Crestview Terrace, was driving past the house of Eduardo and Joan DaSilva on Sunday night around 9 when he saw a fire lighting up the side of the house.

He immediately dialed 911 on his cell phone to call the Fire Department, ran to the front door and started banging on it to awaken the DaSilvas, who had been sleeping for about an hour. Once they were out of the house, he grabbed a garden hose and knocked down the flames before firefighters arrived.

Deputy Chief Stephen Aiello, who was in charge at the scene, said the fire started from a radio left plugged in on the back deck.

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