YARMOUTH – At 6:30 AM Monday, Yarmouth Fire Department received a 911 call from the owner of the Cape Cod Convenience Store, 50 Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth. The caller stated the rear store room was on fire and she was the sole occupant who has left the building.
On the initial dispatch Yarmouth Engine 43, Tower 41 and Ambulance 53 from HQ, Engine 45 from Station 3, Engine 42 from Station 2 and automatic aid (line-box) Dennis Engine 114.
On arrival crews found heavy smoke and a well involved attic fire above the convenience store. The convenience store was on the East end of a large L-shaped commercial building that housed Next Level Fitness and The Outdoor Shop. A Working Fire Assignment was called, this provides mutual aid apparatus to cover the Towns three stations while crews are battling the fire. Shortly after the Working Assignment a Second Alarm was called to bring more apparatus and manpower to the scene. Crews battled the fire by cutting large vent holes in the roof and using hand lines from the ground. The fire was extinguished in about an hour but not before extensive damage was done to the convenience store and the fitness center.
Yarmouth was assisted on scene by Dennis, Hyannis, Harwich and Brewster Fire Departments. COMM, Dennis, Hyannis and Chatham Fire Departments provided Station Coverage. Providence Canteen Truck out of Sandwich Fire Department was also on scene providing hot coffee to the working crews.
Massachusetts State Police Fire Investigation Team assisted Yarmouth’s Fire Investigation Team to determine Origin and Cause of the fire. This is an active investigation and no cause had been determined at this time. This fire is not considered suspicious.
Deputy Fire Chief Jon Sawyer said, “The quick decision to go to a Second Alarm due to the amount of fire and size of the structure was key to a successful outcome at this fire, the Second Alarm quickly brought in our neighboring fire departments and through our combined efforts the fire was confined to one end of the structure. “All crews on location did a fantastic Job with one very minor reported injury from a slip on the ice.”
Slideshow photos by John P. Carroll/CWN; lower photo by Yarmouth Fire/CWN
