Fire destroys multiple homes on waterfront in Burrillville

Fire destroys multiple homes in Burrillville - The fire was on Bethany Lane. The 27 summer homes were off Reservoir Road, Pascoag, R.I. just after Ice House Lane on the right heading towards Rt.44
 At about 3:00am Monday April 20, 2015 residents on Pascoag Reservoir noticed a large ball of fire across the lake and called Pascoag Fire Dept. The 3 cottage fire was fully engulfed and turned into a drowning of the fire and for protection of the closely settled summer cottages. A neighbor allegedly was doing spring yard work Sunday and burned the cleanup in a fire pit and thought every ember was out.
  Deputy Fire Chief  Michael Gingell of the Harrisville Fire Dept. said, 'any person who pulls a fire permit is liable for any and all fire suppression costs and any damages resulting from any escaped and/or uncontrolled fire."
 This is a single lane dirt road access 8 to 10 feet wide with no town water hydrants which hampered the firemens battle to contain the blaze.
 The properties were at 164, 184and 190 Bethany Lane and 184 is owned by Ron Girard of North Smithfield and he said  on Monday that the cottages in the neighborhood were built on leased land and that the owner did not allow people to stay there until the summer season begins in the month of May.
 Girard also said the ranch style house he owned on Bethany Lane was insured and if he is allowed that he intends to rebuild.
 "These things happen", Girard said. No injuries were reported.
 The Fire Marshall will sort this one out and it remains to be seen if R.I. DEM will permit rebuilding on such small lots with no town water or sewers on this isolated dirt road on scenic Pascoag Reservoir. Surrounding summer homes will now have to be checked for their water supply contamination. Great job by our Pascoag Fire Dept. on saving the close knit surrounding properties from a more devastating lose. It did not appear from this scribe that there was any lake run off pollution from the fire at this time by walking down and looking at the beach.

Reporting Wayne G. Barber  All photos the property of Wayne G. Barber, no commercial re-use without permission.

Power companies were on the scene.

190 Bethany Lane was one of the three total destroyed.

I checked for beach run off damage and the Pascoag fire dept. should be commended for containing the blaze.

This summer home was saved with minor damage.

Thank God we have the Pascoag Fire Dept. !

Thank You, Pascoag Fire Dept. !

 

Now check all equipment and hoses to be ready if needed.