NEW DETAILS: Fire damages popular Wellfleet restaurant


WELLFLEET
– On Monday at approximately 7:45 AM, the Wellfleet Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at Russ & Marie’s Marconi Beach BBQ and Seafood Restaurantat 545 State Highway (Route 6). The fire was called in via 911 by restaurant staff who were preparing to open for the day and reported a moderate smoke condition in the building. While in route, fire department dispatch received reports of fire showing on the south side exterior wall of the building.

Per Fire Department dispatch protocol, both the Eastham and Truro Fire Departments were dispatched automatically to respond with an engine, to supplement the Wellfleet response for any report of a structure fire. First responding fire personnel arrived on scene at approximately 7:54 AM and found a moderate smoke condition in the main floor of a one and a half story restaurant occupancy. Wellfleet Police and Fire Department personnel evacuated the building. Two pre-connected 1¾” hose lines were stretched, one, into the kitchen of the building, and, the second, to the roof where visible fire was reported. The building’s electrical service was promptly shut down and fire personnel cut a hole in the roof to find the origin and extent of the fire.

The fire was located in a void space between the first floor ceiling and roof structure, abutting a second floor dormer wall. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews began immediate ventilation and overhaul operations to check for any possible fire extension. Direct fire damage was limited to the attic void space with minor smoke and water damage to the main floor. The Wellfleet Building and Health Department representatives responded immediately and worked with the restaurant owner to begin to promptly restore business operations.

 According to Wellfleet Fire Chief Richard Pauley, Jr., the quick knock down of the fire resulted in minor fire damage to the business. Pauley credited the quick action of Eastham and Wellfleet Fire Department personnel stating “First arriving personnel made a coordinated attack of opening up the roof and limiting interior damage to the building. This resulted in minor fire, water and smoke damage with no injuries.” Pauley also credited the restaurant’s staff and employees who quickly noticed something was wrong and immediately dialed 911 to alert the fire department.

The fire originated in the void space between the first floor ceiling and the second floor exterior wall on the South side of the building. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but, preliminary indications are that it is accidental in nature. All fire department personnel cleared the scene at approximately 9:55 AM and the building was turned back over to the restaurant owner. Mutual aid was received from the Eastham, Orleans and Truro Fire Departments. Traffic on Route 6 slowed but was not backed up.
Reporting, photo and video by Tim Caldwell/CWN




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