Newton Got A Little Help From Its Friends to Fight Tuesday's Twin Fires

As two fires burned at the same time in Newton on Tuesday, fire companies came from as far as Somerville and Dedham to assist the Newton Fire Department.

Those firefighters did not battle the flames, but ones from Waltham, Brookline, Watertown, Boston, Wellesley, Weston and Needham were the primary responders for the two-alarm blaze on Crafts Street.

The aid came as part of the Metro Fire Mutual Aid system. Newton Fire Chief Bruce Proia said Tuesday night provided a big test for the system.

"It proves that it works and it shows it is a great system," Proia said.

All of Newton's fire companies were at the Nahanton Street fire. The three-alarm fire was a stubborn one, Proia said, and it took all night to extinguish all the hot spots.

"I was really proud of the Newton firefighters, and the job they did on Nahanton (Street)," Proia said. 

Most times when an out-of-town fire company covers a Newton Fire Station they make a few basic runs like a medical emergency, said Newton Fire Lt. Eric Fricke. Rarely do they have to fight a fire, let alone make a rescue, like at the two-alarm fire on Crafts Street.

The out-of-town firefighters were not alone. A Newton firefighter was on each out-of-town truck directing them to the scene of the fire.

Many times Newton is the department helping out surrounding towns, but Tuesday it was Newton that needed the help.

"It's good to know they are there to step up and support us," Fricke said.