EASTHAM – An early morning fire gutted a house in Eastham. The fire at 45 Oak Ridge Road off Massasoit Road broke out sometime after 5 a.m. Mutual aid from Orleans, Chatham and Wellfleet responded to the scene.
We are learning this was the first major fire that crews could use the newly installed fire hydrants allowing them to quickly knock down the fire. Unfortunately the fire had too much of a head start and the house was condemned by the Eastham Building Inspector. At one point the fire flared up again and firefighters used foam to douse the rekindle.
Two people were injured. One firefighter reportedly suffered minor injuries after slipping and falling on the fireground. Shortly after 11:30 a.m. as an excavator was demolishing what was left of the house an ambulance was summoned to the scene for a person who reportedly fell into a hole. The victim was reportedly conscious and not seriously injured. The Red Cross was also on the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office who as a matter of protocol brought an accelerant sniffing dog to the scene.
Photos and video by Tim Caldwell/CWN (click photos to enlarge)
