Flames are fueling anger in Hanson, with residents worried that firefighters are risking their lives to fight suspected arson fires at an old state hospital.
NewsCenter 5's Sean Kelly reported that fire crews were at the Plymouth County Hospital again Tuesday night, soaking the abandoned hospital annex after five companies helped douse flames that raced through the third floor and roof.
"We had to do an initial search when we first got to the building because there was a report of people still in the building. I pulled the search early on because the roof was beginning to come in and I didn't want any of my people inside," Hanson Fire Chief Allen Hoyt said.
The hospital hasn't been used for more than a decade, but firefighters keep getting called back for emergencies.
"The whole problem is that this hospital has been broken into so many times we've lost count," town resident Mark Vess said.
It's become a magnet for vandalism and arson.
"The building was never really properly secured. To secure the building, it would have had to be secured from the inside and it never was," resident Bruce Young said.
The town owns the building and has made several attempts to sell it. Residents said selectmen have failed to secure it.
"I would have liked a fence but it just could not be afforded at the time, so the next course of action was to board up the bottom floor," selectman Jesse McSweeney said.
Residents said if it isn't fenced now, the next fire could get worse.
"One of the problems we've been aware of as neighbors is if the kids get caught in one of their own fires, and of course, wouldn't that be tragic," Young said.
Part of the building was demolished in September. Fire officials and the town administrator were expected to tour the area Wednesday to determine if the latest area to have burned also needs to be demolished.
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