Welding incident cause of Doherty Memorial High School construction site fire, construction companys hot work permit had lapsed

A welding incident caused the fire at the Doherty Memorial High School construction site Monday which sent a large plume of dark smoke into the air that could be seen across Worcester.

Officials reported heavy flames and smoke from the roof of 299 Highland St. when they arrived at the scene just after 3 p.m.. The fire was located on the roof of one of four buildings that are part of the construction of the new high school.

The fire department immediately started a defense attack using aerial apparatus to put the fire out and it was under control in about 30 minutes, Deputy Fire Chief Adam Roche reported. As of 4:37 p.m. Monday Roche said the fire was about 99% contained, with firefighters still pulling apart the material that caught fire to chase hot spots.

@telegramdotcom @masslivenews @NECN Fire at Doherty High school in Worcester… #Worcester #Massachusetts pic.twitter.com/6b06Hb2kIb— Harry Tembenis (@TheRealHarryTee) September 12, 2022

The welding incident ignited roofing materials, according to a press release from the Worcester Fire Department and city of Worcester.

The roofing materials had been placed on the structures roof earlier in the day on Monday, Roche said, and fueled the fire.

Though welding was occurring at the site, Roche said the construction companys hot work permit from the fire department had expired as of June 26.

Hot work is defined by the state as any work that involves heat, spark or flame that is capable of starting fires or explosions, such as welding.

Fun ride home from work in #Worcester today. (Fire was at new Doherty High School building site). pic.twitter.com/wjDp91kcTX— Benjamin Wendorf (@BenjaminWendorf) September 12, 2022

The department is still determining if any violations will be levied against the construction company, according to Roche, but it will not issue another hot work permit until an acceptable construction safety plan is presented and approved.

The department will be working with the construction manager, along with the citys Department of Inspectional Services and Worcester Public Schools, to review, update and implement a safety plan for the site.

The construction manager is Fontaine Bros,. Inc of Springfield, according to its website, which is working with Dimeo Construction to build the $300 million school.

The extent of the damage, and the impact on the structures integrity and stability, is still being assessed. Roche said.

A construction worker was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, according to the citys statement.

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