RUMFORD – Several area fire departments and the Rumford Police Department were out in full force during the July Fourth festivities, just as they usually are.
Few incidents occurred, and no fires required firefighting equipment to respond, officials said.
Rumford Fire Chief John Woulfe said Rumford fire engines were posted at the site of the former Puiia’s on Bridge Street and on York Street. The Andover Fire Department covered Falls Hill, Peru was at High Bridge, Dixfield near the Muskie Building on Bridge Street and Mexico at the site of the fireworks.
“With the number of people blocking the streets (during the fireworks display), mutual aid is important,” Woulfe said.
He said one bunch of fireworks ignited prematurely during the 45-minute show, causing a less spectacular finale display than anticipated.
Med-Care Ambulance was called out at least three times during the course of the daylong celebration. Once was for a heat exhaustion victim during the afternoon, a second time to the information center parking lot to attend to an assault, and later, at the end of the fireworks display, for an unknown ailment.
Doug Maifeld, a Rumford police officer, said his department made three arrests. He said activity during this year’s Moontide Festival was about average.
Eleven members of the 14-member police force were on duty by foot, patrol car or on bicycles, along with two dispatchers. Maifeld said the dispatching center at the police station at the rear of the Municipal Building was kept open several hours longer than usual because of the festival.
“We hardly ever have a problem on the Fourth,” he said.
In nearby Mexico, police officers were called out on reports of a suspicious person and an unwanted person. An officer also responded to a call on an out-of-control 11-year-old boy.
Officer Jeff Stoddard said when the boy was told he couldn’t attend the fireworks, he threw a bottle of soda at his sister.
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