GROTON — Just after 4 a.m. on Sept. 1, the Groton Fire Department responded to a significant structure fire at 368 Main St., the location of the Herb Lyceum.
Upon arrival, first responders encountered a fully engulfed structure with heavy fire venting through the roof, which had already partially collapsed.
Commanding officers at the scene decided to engage in defensive operations due to the intensity of the fire.
Firefighters attacked the blaze with multiple handlines from Groton’s Engine 3 and used the master stream from Ladder 1.
Mutual aid was provided by fire departments from Ayer, Pepperell, Littleton, Westford, and Devens, all working in concert to subdue the flames.
The Lunenburg Fire Department was on hand to provide advanced life support coverage while the Shirley MA Fire Department and Dunstable Fire Rescue offered station coverage to back up Groton during the incident.
Groton Police Department played a crucial role in traffic control, ensuring fire crews could access the site without impediment.
By 7 a.m., mutual aid companies began to return to their towns, while Groton Fire Department personnel remained on scene for several more hours to carry out overhaul operations and ensure there were no remaining hot spots.
The fire was under control with no reported injuries.
The Fire Chief, alongside the crew from Groton’s Engine 3 and a fire investigation team from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services Fire Marshal’s Office, concluded on-site investigations around 11 a.m.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
