News Nearby: Wilmington Home Destroyed by Thursday Fire

Each Saturday, Reading-North Reading Patch will run a round-up with links to stories from surrounding communities that are of interest to local residents.

North Street Home Destroyed by Thursday Fire: WILMINGTON--A Thursday afternoon fire that took several hours for firefighters to control destroyed a North Street home. Though there was heavy damage to the property, no one was home when the flames began and the family’s two cats escaped harm.

Deputy Chief Rick McClellan said it is unclear at this time what caused the fire, which started just after 11 a.m. One firefighter was transported from the scene early on, but Fire Chief Ed Bradbury received confirmation about one hour later that he suffered only an ankle sprain.

“Our main concern from the very beginning was that we had a very difficult time gaining access because of the volume of the fire,” said McClellan. “The homeowner returned home while we were fighting the fire, which allowed us to put our efforts towards putting the fire out instead of search and rescue.”

Stoneham Police Searching For Suspect in Home Break-In: STONEHAM--A man allegedly broke into a Stoneham homelate Monday night, according to police. At 11:37 p.m. Monday, police responded to Katherine Road for a report of a breaking and entering into a home, according to police. The suspect allegedly gained access to the house when he "pried (the) basement door (open)," said Detective Robert McKinnon in an email to Stoneham Patch Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect entered the home, which was occupied by one person, according to McKinnon, but nothing was stolen. He added that no one was injured during the breaking and entering incident. 

: TEWKSBURY--Anne Marie Stronach has announced she will not be seeking a third term to the Tewksbury Board of Selectmen.

First elected in 2007, Stronach said she doesn't feel she can make the commitment needed to serve the community for another three-year term.