GLOUCESTER — On Saturday, July 26, at approximately 2:20 p.m., Gloucester firefighters responded to a waterfront home at 62 Woodward Avenue after flames and heavy smoke were reported coming from the residence.
According to Chief Eric Smith, firefighters took a defensive approach upon arrival due to the intensity of the flames and had the fire under control by 3:30 p.m.
The fire escalated to two alarms, and the following units responded to the scene: Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 6; Ladder 2 (an aerial ladder truck); Rescues 1 and 2 (two rescue units); and C3 (a command vehicle).
Chief Smith said an 18-year-old male who was in the residence when the fire started was taken to Addison Gilbert Hospital by Beauport Ambulance “out of an abundance of caution” to be evaluated for possible smoke inhalation.
“The house, a two-story wooden structure built in 1966, was a total loss as a result of the fire,” Chief Smith said.
Mutual aid was provided by fire departments from Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Essex, while several neighboring communities provided station coverage.
“I’d like to commend our firefighters who did excellent work battling this fire…amid hot weather and other difficult conditions,” Chief Smith said. “There was also difficult access to the property on a tight street, and the fire was well-involved upon arrival. Unfortunately, there wasn’t an opportunity to save the property from the fire. But there was a real danger that this fire could have spread to neighboring properties. However, due to the outstanding efforts of our firefighters, the fire was contained, and additional damage was prevented.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Gloucester Fire Department and the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
