HINGHAM — Chief Steve Murphy reports that the Hingham Fire Department extinguished a 4-alarm fire, at a large house, that spread to at least four other homes in the area Monday afternoon.
While the 6,000-square-foot house was a total loss and other homes sustained damage, no injuries were reported.
At approximately 12:50 p.m., Hingham Fire responded to 4 Mann St. after receiving multiple calls about a home being on fire.
While responding to the scene, firefighters could see large amounts of smoke above the house and struck a second alarm. Upon arrival, the house was fully involved and a third alarm was immediately called for. At 1:30 p.m., Chief Murphy struck a fourth alarm as the fire continued to spread.
Initially, because of the location of the home on top of a hill, firefighters had difficulty getting adequate water and had to stretch additional hose lines. In addition, high wind speeds caused the fire to quickly spread and also blew hot embers onto four other nearby homes. A home at 2 Mann St. sustained significant fire damage and the family will be displaced.
Three people were inside 4 Mann St. when the initial fire started and all got out safely. The family will also be displaced. Several homes in the area were evacuated as a precaution due the fire embers spreading to nearby houses.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation by the Hingham Fire Department, the Hingham Police Department and the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Approximately 120 firefighters from nine communities responded to the scene, including firefighters from Hull, Cohasset, Norwell, Scituate, Rockland, Weymouth, Quincy, Braintree and Hanover. Fire chiefs from Brockton and Whitman also responded to provide assistance. The Abington Fire Department provided station coverage. The Hingham Police Department controlled access to the site and assisted in evacuating neighbors from the affected area.
In additional, personnel from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Boston Sparks Association and ambulances from South Shore Hospital responded to the scene.
National Grid and Hingham Municipal Lighting Plant were working to restore gas and electricity to the neighborhood after it had been shut off by the utility companies.
"The windy conditions and size of the home made this a difficult fire to extinguish," Chief Murphy said. "I am glad that no one was hurt and our hearts go out to the family that lost their home. I'd like to thank our mutual aid partners from neighboring departments who helped us extinguish the fire and prevent further property damage to other homes in the area."
According to the Weir River Water System, residents may temporarily experience discolored water due to the fire.
Chief Murphy is also asking residents to please water down mulch beds on their properties if they live in the area of the fire.