Tim Caldwell/CWN
WELLFLEET – Fire gutted a wood shop in the rear of 250 Holbrook Avenue in Wellfleet about 5 PM Friday. Firefighters worked quickly to keep the flames from spreading to the main house. Wellfleet Fire Chief Richard Pauley tells Cape Wide News crews forced entry in order to extinguish the flames. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Mutual Aid from Truro, Eastham, Orleans and Brewster responded to the scene. Provincetown covered the Truro station and Chatham covered the Wellfleet station.
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Statement from Wellfleet Fire: On September 3, 2020, at approximately 5:03 PM, the Wellfleet Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 250 Holbrook Avenue, Wellfleet. The fire was called in via 911 by a neighbor who saw heavy smoke coming from the building.
First responding fire personnel arrived on scene at approximately 5:08 PM and found a heavy smoke condition in a single story wood frame structure utilized as a carpenter’s work/wood shop. The building was unoccupied but was immediately adjacent to a two and a half (2 ½) story single family residence. A working fire assignment was requested with Wellfleet Engine 94 laying a 4” supply line from a nearby fire hydrant to establish a reliable water supply. One – 1 ¾” hoseline was stretched to the building by Engine 94’s crew. The initial report of the building fire brought in an engine company from Eastham and tanker from Truro. Chief Richard Pauley arrived on scene at approximately 5:08 PM at which time a working fire assignment was requested. Shortly thereafter a 1st alarm assignment was requested for additional personnel to the scene.
Fire crews were able to quickly knock down the fire, however the building contained a significant amount of wood product, finished lumber, power tools and other combustibles and flammables that would normally be associated with a wood shop. The building required significant ventilation and overhaul to make sure all hot spots were extinguished. The initial estimate of damage to the building and contents is believed to be approximately $45,000.00
No injuries were reported and additional mutual aid companies responded from Orleans, Chatham and Brewster Fire Departments. The fire was declared under control at 5:29 PM and crews remained on scene for extensive overhaul. All fire companies cleared the fire scene at 6:29 PM.
According to Chief Pauley the cause of the fire is under investigation but believed to be accidental in nature. The Wellfleet Police Department assisted with traffic control.
