Cause of Scituate fire that destroyed 5 homes still under investigation
SCITUATE - Cleanup efforts continue along the coast in Scituate as residents along Minot Beach pick up the pieces following Friday night's fire.
The massive blaze destroyed five houses and damaged three others displacing at least six residents.
Eversource was on site Monday checking for gas leaks as disaster cleanup crews went through the damaged houses left standing.
"Some of these homes are only separated by three to four feet in some locations," said Scituate Deputy Fire Chief Mark Donovan.
On Monday, town officials provided an update on the fire. They say the cause is still under investigation.
"Structures have all been taken down, and the site is in the process of being secured," said Town Administrator James Boudreau.
The State Fire Marshal confirmed to WBZ the house the fire started in was under construction at the time.
"Number 72 was under construction and there were workers here Friday," said neighbor Donna Russo. She's lived in Scituate for more than 30 years. Her husband grew up in one of the houses that burned down.
She says they're lucky their house didn't catch fire. "My neighbors from the white house were pounding on the door. We didn't know what was going on. She just kept yelling fire, fire, fire," said Russo. "Thank God the winds weren't coming my way, that's why we're still here."
Chief Donovan said Monday the wind was a contributing factor in spreading the fire, along with the fact a couple of the houses were empty.
"The area is very populated in the summer months, but in the winter there's not that many people around which probably allowed the fire to grow," Donovan said.
Power was restored to the area over the weekend. Homeowners will be responsible for cleaning up the leftover debris.
Now the community is coming together to support those residents who have lost everything.
"FEMA, The Red Cross, and Scituate Community Christmas, a local organization, is helping to make sure they have a place to stay, clothing, whatever they need," said Boudreau.
Scituate Fire and Scituate Police are assisting the State Fire Marshal in their ongoing investigation.
