Massive Fire Destroys Oceanfront Home In Dartmouth; 3 Others Damaged
DARTMOUTH (CBS) - Four oceanfront summer homes were damaged by fire in Dartmouth Thursday afternoon, with flames lighting up the sky at Salters Point.
The exclusive South Dartmouth community is where generations of families come mostly to summer on the water. When firefighters got the call they knew it would be challenging saving the house and in part because of the wind making sure flames did not spread.
"It was just like a tinderbox. It was like a matchstick. The whole thing was just completely in flames. It was awful," said resident Jane Zimmerman.
Jane Zimmerman took video of flames engulfing her neighbor's house. She is one of a handful of full-time residents in the mostly summertime community.
"Thankfully, they weren't home," said Zimmerman.
The homes are around 100-years old and balloon-framed meaning they go up fast. And, the steady winds on the peninsula can easily spread the flames.
"I just panicked about whose house it was," said Kathy Mowvray.
One home on Naushon Ave is a complete loss. Three others were damaged.
"It was rolling, it was a massive fire," said Acting Chief Jake Bettencourt of the Dartmouth Fire Department.
That's what greeted firefighters after a neighbor called 911.
Getting to the end of the point is one of the farthest distances Dartmouth Fire has to travel. It takes them 10 to 15 minutes from the station.
"Approaching that home, the fire trucks had to stop one home before the fire house, the home on fire, because the fire was rolling across the street. It was serious," said Bettencourt.
Firefighters were able to stop the flames from crossing the street. They were able to save the house directly next door by keeping the flames to an outside wall. The original house on fire could not be saved.
"This is an incredible place. The people are incredible. Houses can be rebuilt," said Mowvray.
The Fire Marshal's office will determine the cause of the fire.
The family was last here a few weeks ago and they had been planning on spending Thanksgiving at the home.