HARWICH – Firefighters were called to a basement fire in Harwich Sunday evening. Crews responded to Towhee Lane shortly before 9 PM and quickly put out the flames. No injuries were reported.
From Harwich Fire: At 8:48 PM Sunday evening, the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received an automatic fire alarm for 18 Towhee Lane in Harwich Port. While the engine company was responding, a second call from the alarm company reported a carbon monoxide alarm for the same residence.
On arrival at the property, there was a strong smell of smoke, that seemed like it could be related to an oil burner problem. As the first engine continued to investigate, they found a heavy smoke condition on the first floor and immediately requested a first alarm to be transmitted. A first alarm brings the balance of the on-duty shift, recalls all off duty personnel and additionally companies from Chatham, Dennis and Brewster as part of an automatic mutual aid agreement between the towns.
As access was made to the property and a hoseline was stretched to the basement, where the fire originated, a working fire assignment was transmitted. This request brings additional companies to the scene and provides station coverage to the Town of Harwich. Dennis and Yarmouth responded to scene and Hyannis, Orleans and Eastham provided station coverage. The Harwich Police who respond to every reported fire, were also on scene and provided valuable help in the early stats of the fire, before additional companies arrived on scene.
The fire was quickly knocked down and a search of the residence determined there were no occupants inside. Companies were tied up on scene for approximately 90 minutes trying to remove the smoke from the basement, although most of the mutual aid response was released after about an hour.
The fire appears to have started in the dehumidifier in the basement, although the exact cause is still under investigation. Total damage to the property and contents is approximately $20,000.
This fire emphasizes the importance of working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. While this was a Central Station Alarm, that is an alarm system that is monitored by a company off premises, it is just as important to make sure that all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working, up to code, and replaced as required. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years while carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every 5 years.
