Elderly Man Found Dead In Chatham House Fire
CHATHAM (CBS) – An elderly man was found dead after a fire destroyed an expensive home in Chatham overnight.
Firefighters were called to the house on Stage Island Road just after 10 p.m. Monday as flames engulfed the home.
"The first engine, while he was still about a mile away, did see the fire because of the size and intensity of it," Deputy Fire Chief Peter Connick told WBZ-TV.
Sharon DaSilva's husband called 911.
"There were just really tall flames coming out, billowing clouds of smoke," she said. "It's kind of horrifying."
The fire burned for several hours and the two-story house came down.
"Everything had collapsed into the basement," Connick said.
That's where the body was found. Investigators have not confirmed the name of the victim, but he is believed to be a Connecticut orthopedic surgeon.
Chatham Fire Chief Michael Ambriscoe told WBZ-TV it was a man in his 70's who is believed to have lived in the house.
The medical examiner is expected to determine the cause of death.
No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is still not known, but the deputy chief said it does not appear to be suspicious.
The home, which overlooked the bay, was valued at more than $2 million.
Neighbors described the area as seasonal living, where homes are typically empty this time of year.
"We were surprised that no one else on this side of the island had noticed (the fire)," DaSilva said.
What some say they did notice were loud bangs, and at daylight there was the smell of natural gas, where fire investigators say the gas meter caught fire and melted off the side of the home
"There's nothing that we've seen that has indicated any significant explosion occurred in the house," Connick said.
WBZ-TV's Nicole Jacobs contributed to this report. You can follow her on Twitter @NicoleJacobsWBZ.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Carl Stevens reports
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