Gerry Mahoney/CWN
YARMOUTH – Firefighters rushed to the Yarmouth Commons Apartments sometime before 12:30 PM after reports of a kitchen fire on the 3rd floor. Mutual aid from Dennis also responded to the scene. A sprinkler system controlled the fire and limited damage to the kitchen. No injuries were reported. Further details were not immediately available.
In response to a reader inquiry, Cape Wide News reached out to Yarmouth Fire and received the following statement from Deputy Chief Jon Sawyer: “The building is not habitual at this time. There are 40 apartments and 39 were occupied. As of 7:30 PM (Saturday), the sprinkler and fire alarm systems had been restored, broken windows in the fire apartment had been boarded up and restoration crews were on scene working hard to remove water and dry things out. All three floors sustained water damage.
The towns Building and Electrical Inspectors were on scene and are ready to assist contractors as soon as they are ready.
Families were allowed back into the building to collect medications and belongings as soon as it was safe.
Red Cross did a fantastic job assisting families as well as the management of the complex.
Everyone involved knows families are displaced and are doing everything possible to get them back home as quickly as possible.”
Updated statement from Yarmouth Fire: On Saturday June 24 at 12:20 PM, the Yarmouth Fire Department was notified of an automatic fire alarm at 881 Route 28, Yarmouth Commons, Building Two. Prior to our arrival we received a 911 call saying there was a fire in an apartment on the third floor.
Yarmouth Fire Department ladder/tower truck, two engines, ambulance, and Car 52 (Deputy Car) responded as well as a Dennis automatic aid engine. Mutual Aid from Hyannis, Barnstable and Chatham responded to cover Yarmouth’s three fire stations.
Yarmouth Police also responded and were quick to enter the building to help evacuate the residents.
On arrival fire crews discovered a stove top fire that extended into the kitchen cabinets. The fire was controlled and kept in check by the fire sprinkler system. The sprinkler system activation provided enough time for occupants to exit the building safely. If not for the sprinkler system activation there very well could have been a loss of life.
The sprinkler system was then shut down and fire crews extinguished the fire with handlines. Crews then opened some walls and parts of the ceiling to check for fire extension and ensure it was completely extinguished.
Due to the fire, smoke and water damage the entire building was declared unsafe by the Town of Yarmouth Building Department. Red Cross arrived and quickly assessed the situation and set up office in the Common Building to assist those affected by this fire. 39 out of 40 units in this building were occupied and approximately 125 residents were displaced.
Yarmouth Fire, Police and Building Departments, Barnstable County Representative, Red Cross Team and Wingate Management were on scene into the early evening taking care of residents needs. This morning the Fire & Building Department met with the property manager to review recovery efforts. The goal is to get residents back into their homes as quickly as possible.
One firefighter was transported to Cape Cod Hospital for heat related exhaustion and was later released. Two residents were transported to Cape Cod Hospital with minor injuries.
This fire was determined to be accidental by the Yarmouth Fire Department Fire Investigation Team.
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The apartments were constructed on the site of the former Cavalier Motel.
