By Neal Simpson
The Patriot Ledger
HINGHAM, Mass. — Fire officials are investigating the cause of a three-alarm blaze that gutted an East Street home Monday.
Firefighters rushed to the home at 276 East St. shortly after 11:15 a.m., after someone inside heard an explosion and ran out, Hingham Fire Chief Mark Duff said. Flames were still breaking through the roof nearly two hours later as crews used a ladder truck to douse the fire from above and firefighters blasted the house with three ground-level hoses.
Two people suffered minor injuries. The homeowners’ adult daughter, who was the only person in the house when the fire started, cut her hand while breaking a window and was taken to Quincy Medical Center, according to the fire department. A firefighter suffered a back injury, the fire department said.
The 11/2-story home was left with a gaping hole in the roof, broken windows and charred walls inside. The property has been owned by the same family since 1994 and was last assessed at $425,900, according to town records.
Duff said fire crews were on the scene within five minutes of receiving the call but were initially delayed because the hydrant nearest the home was buried in snow. “I can’t express enough the importance of local people shoveling out their nearest hydrant,” he said.
Fire Capt. William Powers said the house is a total loss. He said the family’s dog died in the fire.
Copyright 2013 The Patriot Ledger