DENNIS PORT – Fire broke out in the basement of a 2 1/2 story multi occupancy structure in Dennis Port shortly before 12:30 AM Tuesday. Firefighters responded to 75 Union
Wharf Road and subsequently struck a 2nd alarm as the fire spread up to the 1st floor. All occupants got our safely but several civilians were evaluated for possible smoke inhalation. Mutual aid from Harwich, Brewster, Yarmouth and Hyannis responded to the scene while other units covered the Dennis fire stations. The Red Cross is providing temporary shelter for the displaced residents.
Update: Dennis Fire reports that Tuesday morning, May 11, 2021, at 12:26 AM, a fast-moving fire tore through 2 units of a condominium apartment building at 75 Union Wharf Road. Eleven people plus a cat were living in the units when the Two Alarm fire broke out. Initial reports by the police were that only two occupants were accounted for. Dennis firefighters quickly changed modes of attack to performing a rapid search of the two and half story wood frame building. The occupants were located by the police down the street sitting in vehicles. Five occupants were evaluated for smoke inhalation at the scene by Dennis and Brewster paramedics and refused transport to the hospital. The cat needed the assistance of oxygen by Brewster firefighters to be revived.
Upon arrival firefighters encountered heavy smoke on all four sides coming from the basement with fire extending up the back of the building. The fire which started in the basement, burnt through floors in two of the units causing a dangerous condition for the firefighters working inside. Firefighters prevented it from getting into the other two units which suffered smoke damage. Extensive overhauling and checking for extension were necessary. Fire crews were tied up for about 4 hours.
The Town of Dennis Assessors map has the building owner listed as David Woodworth and that each unit has an estimated value of $110,000.
A Two Alarm fire in any town gets a lot of resources from each other to put the fire out and tend to the injured. The Dennis Fire Department received assistance from Harwich, Brewster, Yarmouth, Hyannis and Chatham for the fire.
The fire does not appear to be suspicious. Leading indicators are pointing to a clothes dryer that was in use in the basement at the time of the fire.
The four families that were displaced were assisted by the American Red Cross for housing.
There were no injuries reported.
