YARMOUTH – Fire crews were on the scene of an explosion and fire in Yarmouth. The call on North Main Street came in shortly before 12:30 PM Sunday. According to reports, a battery exploded igniting a fire on the second floor over the garage of a house. One person was treated for burns to the hand. A Medflight helicopter was called to Cape Cod Gateway Airport to fly the victim to a burn center. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.
Update: Yarmouth Fire and Rescue reports that at 10:22 PM, they received a 911 call from a homeowner at 139 North Main Street in South Yarmouth reporting a battery explosion with active fire. The caller stated that a resident had sustained serious burns to his hands, but all occupants were evacuated from the building.
A first alarm assignment was dispatched, Tower 41 arrived on location and confirmed a structure fire with 1 resident needing immediate medical attention. A working fire assignment was ordered, bringing mutual aid from Dennis and Hyannis to the scene.
The burn victim was treated on scene and them brought to Cape Cod Gateway Airport where it was met by Boston MedFlight and transported for further care.
The fire was quickly brought under control, fire damage was primarily contained to the area of origin. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Yarmouth Fire Department Fire Investigator, assisted by the Department of Fire Services (Fire marshal) and the Town of Yarmouth electrical inspector.
Yarmouth Police Department assisted on scene. Fire stations were covered by Barnstable, Chatham, Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills, and Harwich Fire Departments who responded to subsequent calls for service. There were no other injuries to civilians or firefighters on the scene.
Top photos by John P. Carroll/CWN; Lower photo courtesy of Michael I. Sears/CWN