BHS' next big star; 'astounding' house fire: Top 5 stories in the Brockton area last week

Kathy Bossa, The Enterprise

February 26, 2023 at 4:00 AM·4 min read

BROCKTON − A graduation ceremony was held at the War Memorial Building for 15 firefighters, representing multiple communities, who graduated from the Brockton Fire Department Drill School.

Chidi Nwosu, a 6-foot-8 freshman at Brockton High School, is shinning on the basketball court. Starting the season as a reserve post player that floats out to shoot perimeter jumpers on occasion, Nwosu has blossomed into much more for the Boxers in short time.

Firefighters from multiple towns battled a four-alarm fire inside a Stoughton home, in an area known as Cobbs Corner. Reportedly oxygen tanks exploded causing the "astounding" fire seen for miles.

In case you missed it, here are five stories of the top stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area.

Oxygen tanks explode, fuel 'astounding' Stoughton house fire seen for miles

Firefighters from multiple towns battled a four-alarm fire inside a Stoughton home. The four-alarm fire started in the 2300 block of Central Street, near the Sharon and Canton town line, in an area known as Cobbs Corner. When firefighters arrived, they encountered multiple explosions inside the residential home. "It was reportedly oxygen tanks from one of the previous occupants," Stoughton Deputy Fire Chief James Brackett said, according to WCVB.

'Astounding' house Stoughton house fire:Oxygen tanks explode, fuel 'astounding' Stoughton house fire seen for miles

Fire photos:4 displaced as Stoughton home engulfed in 4-alarm fire

Firefighters battle a four-alarm house fire at 2351 Central St. in Stoughton on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

Trendy cocktail catering business brings hand-curated drinks to parties in Brockton

A trip to a tropical beach destination with margaritas inside ripe coconuts is closer than you think."Sol y Sal," a cocktail catering business, brings not just alcoholic beverages but a luxurious vibe right to your doorstep. You can have everything from drinks bubbling with smoke to beverages with aromatherapy and burned herb infusion. The owner Nicole Pimentel's goal with her business is to bring top-of-the-line service with freshly made cocktails without toxic preservatives and chemicals.

Cocktail catering business:Trendy cocktail catering business brings hand-curated drinks to parties in Brockton

An array of flavorful cocktail combinations has a kiss of dry ice to add a bubbly flare to the drinks. Sol y Sal a Brockton based business, handcrafts the cocktails and brings them right to an event.

'Anyone can play': Pickleball craze hits Easton in a big way — are you next?

A tennis-like game with the unlikely name of pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the U.S., with over 4.8 million players across the country, and the town of Easton is becoming the headquarters in this area. "Anyone can play pickleball, from children to senior citizens. I've seen people in their 70s play. It's like standing on a giant Ping-Pong table. It's a sport for everyone," said Heath Berkowitz, 53, the director of pickleball at the Brown Billone Club, a tennis and swimming facility in Easton.

Pickleball craze hits Easton:'Anyone can play': Pickleball craze hits Easton in a big way — are you next?

Pickleball game photos like in Easton:Here's what red hot pickleball craze looks like up close in Easton

From left, Kris Puskar, event organizer Heath Berkowitz and Sonja Marcheselli at the Brown Billone Club Pickleball Classic in Easton on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.

Raynham rescuer befriends person he saved. Here's their story.

An unlikely friendship between two people started after a day both thought was going to be "routine." On Nov. 20, 2022, a 28-year-old man from Berkley woke up, got in his car and drove to his gym in East Bridgewater. That morning, 58-year-old Brian Maynard of Raynham and his wife Maria took a morning drive as they do every Sunday. On his way back from the gym, the younger man, who asked to remain anonymous, fainted while he was still driving.

Rescuer befriends person he saved:Raynham rescuer befriends person he saved. Here's their story.

"Your husband is a hero':'Your husband is a hero': Man helps driver escape burning vehicle in Raynham

Brian Maynard and his wife Maria on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, stop by Emma's on Pleasant Street in Bridgewater. Brian Maynard had rescued a 28-year-old Berkley man from his burning vehicle in November. Then a few weeks later the Maynards met up with the Berkley man and his father and brother at Emma's for pizza.

Brockton's next big star: This 6-foot-8 freshman is blossoming on the basketball court

Manny DeBarros knew in the fall. The third-year coach of the Brockton High boys basketball team first met Chidi Nwosu, a 6-foot-8 freshman, at a local offseason league just before the high school season swung into session Starting the season as a reserve post player that floats out to shoot perimeter jumpers on occasion, Nwosu has blossomed into much more for the Boxers in short time. Now the Boxers' full-time starting center, DeBarros loosely gauged Nwosu's nightly averages to be 15 points and 15 rebounds.

Brockton's next big star:Brockton's next big star: This 6-foot-8 freshman is blossoming on the basketball court

Brockton's Chidi Nwosu shoots a free throw during a game against Dartmouth at Dartmouth High School on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton-area top 5 stories: Brockton High's next big star; house fire