Local News

Fires at former Fernald School in Waltham investigated as arson

“We’re deeply concerned that someone is going to be hurt.”

May 6, 2025

2 minutes to read

Authorities are investigating two incidents of arson at the former Fernald School in Waltham and urging anyone with information to come forward.

The two fires in April may be related to other blazes at the old campus in January and in December, Waltham and state fire officials said in a statement.

“There have been four fires in that area since December,” Waltham Police Chief Kevin O’Connell said in the statement. “These incidents are dangerous, and we’re deeply concerned that someone is going to be hurt.”

The Waltham Fire Department responded to the campus of the shuttered institution at 200 Trapelo Road for a report of a fire during the early morning hours of April 19, officials said. At the scene, they found a heavy fires in the old schoolhouse/gym and manual training buildings.

Four alarms were ordered, and it took more than six hours to extinguish the flames, according to first responders. During the ensuing investigation, authorities determined the fires were set intentionally and separately.

More Local News

Officials said they believe the April 19 incidents could be related to an earlier blaze on Dec. 14, 2024 at the Chapel of Holy Innocents, which caused minor damage, and a fire on Jan. 18, 2025 at Chipman Hall that caused the building’s roof to collapse.

All of the fires took place on Saturdays, officials said.

“These buildings were vacant, but any structure fire is inherently dangerous,” Waltham Fire Chief Andrew Mullin said in a statement. “Firefighters confronted heavy smoke and flames venting out the windows. They were present when the roof of one building collapsed and the first floor of another collapsed into the basement. First responders, curious onlookers, and even the person or persons responsible could have been injured or worse.”

State Fire Marshal Jon Davine urged the public to contact investigators if they were in the area and saw anything suspicious.

“You can remain anonymous if you prefer,” he said. “What’s most important right now is that these fires stop before someone gets hurt.”

Anyone with information can contact the Arson Watch Reward Hotline at 1-800-682-9229. The Arson Watch Reward Program offers up to $5,000 for information that solves, detects, or prevents arson crimes.