On Thursday, August 21, 2025, while working my assigned shift in marked unit East-4, I, Officer Bitencourt, was dispatched at approximately 12:51 AM to 75 Thurston Street for a reported fire. All other East End units, along with Sierra-9 (Sgt. Vannostrand) also responded.

     Upon arrival, while running down Thurston Street towards the residence, I observed the house fully engulfed in flames. Myself and other East End units immediately began assisting firefighters with clearing all surrounding residences, including 79 Thurston Street, 73 Thurston Street, and the residences directly behind the burning structure at 40, 44, and 46 Dartmouth Street. It was later determined that the house at 75 Thurston Street was under construction and unoccupied at the time of the incident. All residents in the surrounding properties were safely evacuated without injury.

     While clearing 79 Thurston Street, tenants from the second floor informed me that there were possibly people still inside Apartment #3. After knocking and receiving no response, firefighters forced entry due to the severity of the circumstances. The apartment was subsequently cleared and determined to be unoccupied.

     I later spoke with the owners of 79 Thurston Street, identified as XXXX (Unit #1) and XXXX (Unit##3) Both stated they had been asleep on the first floor when the tenants of the second floor, later identified as XXXX and XXXX, alerted them to the fire. XXXX and XXXX explained that they were asleep when they woke to the blaze. They reported quickly waking others, evacuating the building, and immediately calling 911. XXXX and XXXX also provided me with the owner's information for the second floor unit, identifying him as XXXX.

     I then made contact with the owners of 73 Thurston Street, identified as XXXX and her husband, XXXX. Both stated they had also been asleep and recalled smelling something earlier in the night. They initially believed the odor was from a small bonfire and did not think much of it until they were alerted to the fire.

     I would also like to note that a pole mounted camera is positioned directly in front of 73 Thurston Street and faces the burning residence at 75 Thurston Street. A picture of this camera will be attached to the report.

     Please see all supplemental reports for further information.

     Respectfully submitted,

     Officer Igor Bitencourt #374