Brockton Fire Museum

04/03/2026

A Moment in History - April 2, 1979 - A multiple alarm fire occurred at 500 Main Street on the corner of Exchange Street that displaced 45 persons from the 13 apartments. 6 persons were sent to the hospital that night.

04/01/2026

A Moment in History - 03/31/2009 - Four people, including three children, were struck by a van while they were crossing North Main Street at Huntington Street around 1230 hours. A 4 y/o was transported to a Boston hospital via Boston MedFlight, which landed at Massasoit Community College on Massasoit Blvd. The two other children were transported to local hospitals before being airlifted via Boston MedFlight. The adult that was struck was reportedly injured less severely.

03/31/2026

A Moment in History - March 30, 1981 A fire was discovered after midnight at 824 Main Street

03/31/2026

A Moment in History - 03/30/2012 - Around 2030 hours on the evening of Friday, March 30, 2012 the Brockton Fire Department responded to a call for a motor vehicle accident involving a vehicle that rolled over at Longwood Avenue at Hillberg Avenue. Engine-2, Squad-A and the Tactical Support Unit responded, along with an ambulance. Engine-2 arrived to find a two vehicle accident with one vehicle on its roof, and at least one occupant ejected from the vehicle. A total of four ambulances were called to the scene, three AMR contract ambulances, and one mutual aid ambulance from West Bridgewater responded. An additional company was requested to respond to the scene to assist with multiple injured patients. Boston MedFlight was requested to the scene for an 18 year old male patient that was reported to be partially ejected from the vehicle. MedFlight landed at the Brockton Fairgrounds on Forest Avenue where the AMR ambulance met the MedFlight crew. The victim was flown to Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston for treatment. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by the Brockton Police Department with the assistance of the Plymouth County Sheriffs Department BCI Unit. At least four patients were transported from the accident scene.

03/29/2026

A Moment in History- March 28, 1986 - A fatal fire at 835 Montello Street kills child.

03/27/2026

A Moment in History - March 27, 1974 - A General Alarm Fire destroyed the vacant Lincoln Hotel on West Elm Street.

03/21/2026

Part 2

03/21/2026

On this day March 20th in 1905 the landscape of Campello changed forever. An explosion took place at the RB Grover Company on the corner of Calmar and Main Street.. 58 people were killed in hundreds injured.

From the book entitled….
HISTORY OF THE BROCKTON RELIEF FUND

This book explains the fire and explosion, names the deceased and injured as well as documents the $104,000 that was received for relief funds for the families. It outlines where every cent of the money went. Donations to the fund were made internationally.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FIRE

On Monday morning, March 20, 1905, the shoe factory of R. B.
Grover & Co., located in the south end of the city of Brockton, Mass., was suddenly and completely destroyed by fire. Along with it the Dahlborg Block, the building known as the old Drake Tavern, four dwelling houses, two storehouses, and a blacksmith shop were also wholly consumed, besides three dwelling houses partially burned. This was one of the most disastrous fires the city has ever known, the property loss reaching $250,000, and the buildings destroyed covering some four acres of ground.
But great as was the property loss, it was insignificant when compared with the destruction of human life and the injuries inflicted upon scores of workmen.

The firm of R. B. Grover & Co. was among the best known in the city, the Emerson shoe which they manufactured having gained for them a wide reputation. They employed about four hundred and fifty workmen, and on the morning of the disaster some three hundred and sixty were in the building. The factory, which was a frame structure four stories high, was located on Main Street and extended along Calmar to Denton Street. At ten minutes before eight o'clock, soon after the work for the day had begun, suddenly, and without previous warning, the large boiler of the factory exploded. It was carried right up through the building, breaking the foundations and separating the tim-bers, causing the factory to collapse.

Photographs of the books content contained in this post and the next.

03/21/2026

A Moment in History - 3/20/2025 - Brockton, MA 2nd Alarm Pleasant St.
Box 3552 was transmitted about 6AM for a reported house fire. Squad A, Engine 5, Engine 3, Engine 4 as RIT, Ladders 1 & 4, The Rescue with Car 56 in Command. Crews arrived to smoke showing from a 2 story house with no residents in the building. Several lines were stretched to knock the fire down. A 2nd alarm was struck with Engine 7 responding. Whitman Engine and a Stoughton Engine covered the city. The fire was knocked down in about an hour with extensive overhaul

Box 3552 was transmitted about 6AM for a reported house fire. Squad A, Engine 5, Engine 3, Engine 4 as RIT, Ladders 1 & 4, The Rescue with Car 56 in Command. Crews arrived to smoke showing from a 2 story house with no residents in the building. Several lines were stretched to knock the fire down. A....

03/19/2026

A Moment in History - 03/18/2007 Brockton MA firefighters responded to this working fire at a medical building at 337 Belmont Street. Car-56 called off with heavy fire showing from the 1 story wood frame building. The fire was confined to 2-3 rooms and was knocked down quickly. This fire was this groups 5th fire in five shifts.

03/18/2026

A Moment in History - 3/17/2025 - Brockton, MA W/F Winter St.
Box 4135 was transmitted after receiving a call for an outside fire near the house. Engine 7, 3, Squad A, Engine 4 as RIT, Ladders 4 & 1 with the Rescue were dispatched. Engine 3 arrived to heavy fire from the rear of the house and extending inside. Several lines were stretched to knock down the fire.

Box 4135 was transmitted after receiving a call for an outside fire near the house. Engine 7, 3, Squad A, Engine 4 as RIT, Ladders 4 & 1 with the Rescue were dispatched. Engine 3 arrived to heavy fire from the rear of the house and extending inside. Several lines were stretched to knock down the fir...