Port firefighters pitch in to aid 9-year-old fire victim

March 03--NEWBURYPORT -- After a swift moving fire last month destroyed most of a 9-year-old boy's possessions and forced him out of his home, it would make sense if he was feeling blue.

But thanks to the generosity of Newburyport Firefighters Local 827, the boy is feeling much better after firefighters pitched in and bought him a new video game console, a television screen and several gift cards.

"A quick and quiet way of saying we are sorry you lost what you lost but we also want to give you a little hand," Newburyport firefighter Barry Salt said.

It was Feb. 10 when fire broke out in the second floor of Sharon Woodward's Merrimac Street house. While she was not home at the time, her grand nephew Martin was there along with family friend Paul Hughes. When fire broke out in her office, Martin began screaming "Fire! Fire!" Hughes tried to put the fire out, without success. A calm and cool Martin listened to instructions and then evacuated the building when it became necessary.

"He didn't panic, he listened to instructions," Woodward said.

Word of Martin's cool under pressure filtered to firefighters at the scene who complimented Woodward on his behavior and actions. The following day, Woodward received a call from the fire department saying firefighters wanted to help Martin.

"He had really impressed them," Woodward said.

Salt said firefighters, many of them with small children, began a collection drive hoping to raise enough money to take some of the sting out of losing most of Martin's possessions.

"It must have hit a soft nerve here," Salt said. "They did a quick pass-the-hat and there's still an envelope for more out front."

Monday, Woodward and her grand-nephew visited the Greenleaf Street fire station where they were presented with a Playstation 4 video console and a television screen. He was also given plenty of gift cards so he and his family can buy items he lost in the fire.

"It was quite overwhelming, Martin and I were amazed by their generosity. It was just a beautiful thing for those guys to do. He just went out of there feeling like a million dollars," Woodward said.

Woodward said it will be at least six months before she and Martin can return to their Merrimac Street home. While the house is salvageable, it sustained heavy fire and water damage. In the meantime, they are staying at a local rental property with the cost covered by fire insurance.

Good news for Martin is that he can continue third grade at Bresnahan Elementary. Woodward said school officials and parents have also helped make it easier for Martin in the wake of last month's fire.

Staff writer Dave Rogers can be reached by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.

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