GLOUCESTER — Fire Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department extinguished a residential fire yesterday evening. Due to the extent of the damage, the home is likely a total loss.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, the fire department received several calls on a report of an explosion at 79 Woodman St.
Upon their arrival, firefighters noticed the basement windows of the one-and-a-half story, single family home were blown out and the area was engulfed in flames.
No one was at the residence at time the fire started. The homeowner was staying with a family member.
Gloucester Engines 1 and 2, along with Ladder 1, Rescue 1 and Car 3 responded to the area. Deputy Fire Chief Steve Aiello immediately called in a second alarm and companies from Rockport, Manchester, Essex and Beverly fire departments arrived to help knock down the blaze. Off duty Gloucester firefighters and Beverly and Hamilton firefighters covered the Gloucester station.
The fire, which began in the basement, quickly traveled to the attic, engulfing the entire home in flames. Firefighters were able to contain the fire by 5:30 p.m. and completely knock down the blaze by 6 p.m. They cleared the scene around 8:30 p.m.
No firefighters or residents were injured.
While the fire remains under investigation, Chief Smith believes the cause was from a propane gas leak. The system had been worked on in the last two weeks.
Chief Smith also suspects the home is damaged beyond repair.
“We are thankful that no one was injured during the fire, as the situation could have been a lot worse had someone been in the home at the time of the explosion,” Chief Smith said. “I commend the swift work of all firefighters involved and thank our community counterparts for assisting the Gloucester Fire Department.”
