What caused Falmouth house fire that injured 3 firefighters? Investigation continues.
An East Falmouth house is considered a total loss after a three-alarm fire destroyed it on Sunday afternoon, according to local fire officials.
On Monday morning, the Falmouth Fire Department and other agencies returned to 22 Rivers Edge Road to resume the investigation into what ignited the blaze. The single family home with four bedrooms and two baths is assessed at $857,000, according to town records.
The day before, the fire department arrived at the home after a neighbor reported at 1:35 p.m. seeing smoke coming from the house, according to a press release. Personnel from the first arriving apparatus advanced a hose line to the front door and forced entry. The home was unoccupied, with the owners out-of-state at the time.
A lieutenant and two firefighters went into the building. About five feet in, the lieutenant fell through a burnt-out opening in the first floor into the basement and called out a mayday, indicating a firefighter needing help.
Others immediately tried to get into the basement to find the lieutenant.
"Upon entering the smoke-filled basement, personnel conducted an immediate search and were able to locate the firefighter whose personal alerting device was activated to help guide them to the fallen member," a press release stated.
After removing the lieutenant from the building, he was assessed for injuries.
The lieutenant was flown via medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital with traumatic injuries, the extent of which was unknown "as he was being stabilized and evaluated at MGH."
On Sunday at the scene of the fire, Falmouth Fire Chief Timothy Smith called the lieutenant's injuries significant but not believed to be life-threatening.
A second injured firefighter sustained minor injuries, while a third one suffered a knee injury. Both were brought to Falmouth Hospital for treatment.
The fire was considered under control just after 3:30 p.m.
Several Cape fire departments responded Sunday to help at the fire or cover fire stations in town. Firefighters and equipment from Sandwich, Hyannis, Bourne, Joint Base Cape Cod and the Providence Canteen, at least, were spotted at the scene.
Falmouth Fire/Rescue Department along with the State Fire Marshal's Office, Falmouth police and other local inspection services were conducting the investigation into the cause.
Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on X @zanerazz.
Times Photographer Merrily Cassidy contributed to the reporting of this story.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cause of three-alarm fire at East Falmouth house under investigation
