Danvers Fire Chief Arrested For Assault

Update at 1:25 p.m.: Farrell has been ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Friday.

WCVB-TV reports:

Joanne Farrell claims her estranged husband has been depressed and recent threats of violence forced her to take out a restraining order against him.

Original post:

The fire chief in Danvers faces an arraignment Wednesday for domestic assault charges.

Police say Kevin Farrell, 49, assaulted his estranged wife early Wednesday in Groveland, where Farrell and his wife both live. Farrell also faces witness intimidation charges.

"In this case, he took away her cellphone, and she did not have a land line," said Groveland Police Chief Robert Kirmelewicz. "Hence the charge of intimidating the witness."

The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune adds:

Kirmelewicz would not characterize the nature of the abuse, but he said there were no injuries to Farrell's wife and that no weapon was used.

Farrell was taken to a local hospital after his arrest. Police have not said why.