DENNIS – Fire was reported at 120 Great Western Road in Dennis about 4:30 PM. That location is Devil’s Purse Brewing Company. Officials initially found heavy smoke in the rear but were relieved to find a power line came down and a brush fire along with a dumpster was burning in the rear of the structure, not the structure itself. Eversource was notified to cut power to the area so the fire could be completely extinguished. The Cape Cod Rail Trail which runs behind the property was shut down over concerns of an electrified fence and propane tanks near the area. The fire eventually escalated to 2 alarms to bring in adequate manpower to the scene. A possible fire was also reported at 112 Great Western Road as the downed power line continued to arc heavily until power was cut. The power cut temporarily knocked out electric service to 7,600 customers. That was quickly reduced to 375 customers.
From Dennis Fire: At 4:33 PM on July 20th, 2023 the Dennis Fire Department responded to a reported Structure Fire at 120 Great Western Road in South Dennis. The first arriving units encountered fire at the back of the building with live electrical lines down. Two other buildings in the immediate area were energized as a result, creating a challenging and dangerous situation for responding units. A fence running behind all of the properties was energized and caused a brush fire that extended back behind the affected buildings towards the bike path and rail trail. There was also fire impinging on propane tanks being stored in the area.
A moving truck had backed into a utility pole behind the main building damaging the service lines to three buildings and disrupting power in the South Dennis area. Eversource was requested and dispatched the closest available unit. They arrived on location and worked quickly to secure power in the immediate area. All three buildings that were affected sustained electrical damage.
A 2nd Alarm was requested bringing additional resources in from throughout the Cape both to the fire scenes and also into Town to provide fire and ambulance coverage during the incident. Dennis received Mutual Aid assistance from the following Fire Departments: Harwich, Yarmouth, Barnstable, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Hyannis and Centerville -Osterville-Marstons Mills. The State DCR also responded with a forestry unit. Dennis Police assisted on scene and with traffic control in the immediate area. Traffic was diverted from Great Western Road during the fire. The bike path was also closed as a precaution.
The firefighting units did a great job under difficult conditions at best.. Once the power was secured the fires were extinguished. Extensive overhaul was required in multiple locations. Companies made up and returned to quarters without incident. The driver of the moving truck was transported to CCH for evaluation. One firefighter was also transported to CCH as a precaution
The fire is currently under investigation.
This short video clip is via Cape Cod Incidents:
de072023 Wire arcing 120 Great Western Rd. from Cape Wide News LLC on Vimeo.
