Newburyport Police Sgt. credited with helping prevent house fire tragedy NBC Boston [Video]

A sergeant patrolling overnight in Waltham, Massachusetts, is being credited with helping prevent a tragedy after she noticed what appeared to be the start of a fire near the front porch of a group home.

Newburyport Police Lt. Matthew Simons tells NBC10 Boston that. Sgt. Megan Tierney was on her regular patrol around about 3:45 a.m. when she made the astute observation on Spofford Street and quickly called for backup, alerting the Newburyport Fire Department and the residents inside.

“This could have been a tragic incident if not for the awareness and quick action of Sgt. Tierney,” Chief Stephen Bradbury III said in a statement. “We are very grateful that no one was hurt in this fire.”

“The awareness, astute observations, and quick communication were paramount in a successful and coordinated response to a critical incident that could have had a much more tragic outcome,” Simons said. “The quick actions …