2 Homes Catch Fire In Flooded Scituate Neighborhood
SCITUATE (CBS) -- Floodwaters are believed to be behind the cause of a fire that destroyed two homes in Scituate and threatened several others.
The homes are located on Seventh Avenue. Floodwaters were so high on the street, the entire neighborhood was evacuated earlier today.
According to WBZ's Joe Joyce, the fire started in one home around 6:30 a.m. It is believed the rising floodwaters reached the home's electrical unit, which sparked the fire.
The wind quickly pushed the fire over to a second home, located only six feet away.
WBZ News Radio's Lana Jones reports from Scituate.
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In all, five houses were in danger of burning. Firefighters kept soaking the houses to prevent them from catching fire.
Some firefighters were wading in neck-deep water to reach the burning homes.
Raw Video: Fire Consumes Flooded Homes In Scituate
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire.
One of the homes belongs to a family with a 3-year-old autistic child. The second family affected by the fire has a 6-year-old and an 11-year-old.
In all, about 80 people living in the area were evacuated, including a mother and her young child who were rescued from their home Monday morning.
Resident who have lived in the area for decades say this is the worst flooding they have seen in a long time.
A state of emergency in Scituate was ordered at 4 a.m. on Monday.
WBZ-TV's Jim Smith reports from Scituate Monday night.
