Gloucester Firefighters respond to a fire that may have been started by welding this morning on Marina Drive. (Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)
GLOUCESTER — Fire Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department extinguished a structure fire that injured a resident on Wednesday morning.
On Wednesday, July 31, at approximately 10:39 a.m., the Gloucester Fire Department was called to 20 Marina Drive for a report of a structure fire.
Companies arrived to find a two-story, single-family home with an attached garage fully involved with fire, and a resident who evacuated the home on his own suffering from injuries. That resident was taken to Beverly Hospital for treatment.
Firefighters used two, 2 1/2 inch hose lines to quickly knock down the main body of the fire before entering the garage to contain the flames to the attached garage. Several flammable containers and an oxygen tank burned inside the garage, causing what appeared to be small explosions as the gases in the containers vented and fueled the fire.
The main body of the fire was knocked down by 11:09 a.m., and the fire was fully under control by about 11:20 a.m.
The home’s attached garage is likely a total loss, but fire damage was contained to the attached garage. The rest of the home suffered smoke damage.
The family that lives in the home will be displaced, but reported having family to stay with in the area.
Rockport firefighters covered Gloucester stations while companies battled the blaze, and eventually responded to the scene to provide additional manpower.
“Crews did an outstanding job attending to the victim and knocking the fire down quickly,” said Chief Smith. “We’re hoping his injuries are minor and that he is released soon.”
The cause remains under investigation by the Gloucester Fire Department, but it appears welding may have been involved.
