HARWICH – Fire heavily damaged a house in Harwich Tuesday morning. Firefighters leaving station 2 could see the smoke and immediately called for mutual aid. Crews arriving at 1569 Orleans Road (Route 39) found heavy fire showing from the residence. All occupants safely evacuated the house and no injuries were reported. Route 39 was closed due to apparatus and hose lines in the street. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross is providing temporary shelter for the displaced residents.
Harwich Fire tells CWN that the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Communication Center received a call for a structure fire at 1569 Orleans Rd. at 6:38 AM Tuesday morning. The Harwich Fire Department was dispatched along with a line response from Brewster, Chatham and Dennis. Engine 65 from Station 2 reported heavy smoke visible from the station as they signed on and immediately requested a working fire. The working fire brought Orleans to the scene and Yarmouth, Hyannis and Eastham in for station coverage.
On arrival, Engine 65 was confronted with heavy fire and smoke from the front of a single-story ranch. It was initially unknown if the building was occupied. The floor inside the front door was compromised, which hampered access to the fire area.
Contact was made with the building occupants, and it was determined that no one else was inside the building. A search by companies on the scene confirmed the building was empty.
Three handlines were stretched and operated, and the fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes. Companies operated for another hour on scene, chasing hot spots and checking for further extension. National Grid and Eversource were called to the scene to secure the utilities.
Harwich Police, Department of Public Works and Water Department assisted at the scene.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but appears accidental.
The American Red Cross was contacted to provide housing assistance for the occupants.
Photos by Harwich Fire/CWN
