*** WET & WILD *** SEVERAL OVERNIGHT STRUCTURE FIRES ACROSS THE CAPE… TWO IN FALMOUTH [HN PHOTOS]
ABOVE HN PHOTOS – FALMOUTH – Firefighters extinguished fire in the basement of a commercial building in the 300 block of Main Street last evening at around 10:45 p.m. Main Street was completely closed down while crews worked during the heavy rain. According to radio transmissions, there was fire that extended into one of the walls near a staircase. Electricity needed to be shut off before hot spots could be thoroughly wet down. Gas to the building also needed to be shut down, according to radio transmissions. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no reported injuries. In the last above photo, firefighters take shelter under a pizza parlor awning after the fire was out. The pizzeria was next door to the building that had the fire.
UPDATE – FALMOUTH FD MEDIA STATEMENT: Tuesday night January 9th, a reported electrical fire occurred at 360 Main Street in Falmouth just after 10:30 pm. Firefighters successfully extinguished a small fire in the basement. Smoke and heat conditions were discovered on the first floor, leading to further investigation and fire suppression. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries. The building, which houses four commercial tenants on the first floor and four residential apartments on the second floor, sustained moderate smoke and fire damage. There are no reported injuries. Fire Rescue Fire Investigators and the Town of Falmouth Inspectional Services are investigating the fire’s cause. The fire does not appear suspicious in nature.
ABOVE HN PHOTOS: EAST FALMOUTH – Firefighters responded to a fire that broke inside a residence on Oxbow Road shortly after midnight. The bulk of the fire was quickly knocked down. The fire went to a second alarm when additional firefighters were needed to work inside the structure. The situation was well in hand when HN arrived on scene about a half hour into the call, with firefighters double checking for hot spots. Extensive fire damage was evident on the inside and outside of the residence. Like the earlier fire on Main Street, crews had to contend with heavy rain. There was also a sloping driveway on a very steep hill leading up into the scene, which meant everything had to be carried in. There were no reported injuries, and the Falmouth FD is investigating the cause of the fire.
UPDATE – FALMOUTH FD MEDIA STATEMENT: A structure fire broke out on Ox Bow Road in Teaticket early Wednesday morning just before 1 a.m. Engine 25 arrived to find an active fire at the rear of the building, reaching from the ground level to the second floor. Despite challenging conditions, the crew successfully provided water using a hand-stretched line due to the steep driveway and distance from the road. The fire had also spread to the attic, prompting a second alarm due to poor weather and high winds. All three occupants were alerted by smoke detectors and were able to safely evacuate along with their pet dog. No injuries were reported, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause, however, it does not appear to be suspicious in nature.
HN NOTE: The heavy rain and steady wind made it challenging to make clear photos. I also needed to get in and out quickly in order to not be thoroughly soaked (and my equipment is supposed to be well sealed… but I never trust that…), so there wasn’t a lot of time to speak with fire officials in order to gather details, as there would be under more agreeable conditions. It was a night of nasty weather challenges for everyone… just getting to the scenes safely was half the battle. I’m typing this, which means I made it home safely after running the narrow, bumpy, and sometimes flooded Route 28 as it stretches between Hyannis and Falmouth… and also into Mashpee…
Mashpee firefighters responded to an address on Classic Circle in the their town early this morning. HN was in the area as an engine arrived and began checking. No fire was showing on the outside of the home when initial firefighters arrived on scene. There had been an inside smoke condition according to radio transmissions and the home ultimately needed to be ventilated. No further details available at the time of this report.
Crews also responded to a working structure fire on Round Cove Road in Chatham early this morning. The fire was knocked down and HN will update with official details as they become available.
P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is a brought to you by Roy Hargrove… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]