CUMBERLAND – An early-morning fire at 17 Morpheus Drive heavily damaged the home, but all occupants escaped safely.
Cumberland fire crews responded to the house fire reported by a neighbor in this area off I-295 near the town’s industrial park at 2:36 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, said Fire Chief Nicholas Anderson. The homeowners were home at the time and evacuated on their own.
All occupants were accounted for, and no injuries were reported.
New owners purchased the home for $675,000 in June, according to Cumberland’s tax database.
Arriving crews encountered fire on the exterior and throughout the attic, with heavy fire involving most of the roof. The fire traveled up the siding, into the eves, and throughout the attic space.
Vaulted ceilings and multiple additions made accessing and extinguishing the fire difficult, resulting in a stubborn, labor-intensive operation, Anderson said. A third alarm was requested for additional manpower.
The nearest fire hydrant was out of service, requiring crews to establish a water supply from the next available hydrant, approximately 800 feet farther away .
Cumberland crews were assisted at the scene by firefighters from Lincoln, North Attleboro, Central Falls, Smithfield, and North Smithfield. The fire was brought under control once additional manpower arrived. Extensive overhaul to locate and extinguish remain pockets of fire took several hours to complete.
Cumberland building officials were also on scene. The home is not habitable at this time.
The cause remains under investigation by the the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office. Crews never ran out of water, but the issue with the hydrant did require the alarm upgrade and more staffing power.
