Five-Alarm Fire Tears Through Swampscott Homes
SWAMPSCOTT (CBS) -- Crews from multiple agencies struggled with two water main breaks while battling a 5-alarm fire in Swampscott Sunday.
The fire began Sunday afternoon on Humphrey Street, and burned through two homes.
Swampscott Fire Chief Kevin Breen said the homes are likely a total loss.
Two water mains broke while the flames were at their highest, forcing firefighters to run nearly a half-mile of hoses.
"We had the tools at the ready. We had our water trucks in position. We were ready to deploy large appliances. It's just the way it goes," said Breen. "In my years on the fire service, I've never encountered two water main breaks."
Crews from Lynn, Marblehead, Salem, and Nahant assisted Swampscott firefighters in battling the blaze.
"Smoke everywhere," Jacob Miller, who lives in the neighborhood, recalls seeing. "I looked out my window and you could see smoke roaring into the sky."
Gary Golditch owns one of the homes. Though obviously upset by the loss of his home, he was grateful that an unknown person rescued his Pomeranian mix dog named Sam.
"I said 'My dog! My dog's in the house!' but it was already full of smoke," said Golditch. "I turned around, and there was the dog. I don't know who the person was, I'd like to find out who it is who saved my dog. But I'm so grateful."