MARBLEHEAD ― A three-alarm fire destroyed a single-family home on Ocean Avenue Wednesday afternoon.
There was only one person — who identified himself as the homeowner — at home when the fire broke out; no injuries were reported, the fire department said.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke, but were able to quickly extinguish the flames to prevent any further damage to the home at 272 Ocean Ave, according to Fire Chief Jason Gilliland.
“We were met by heavy smoke and were able to find the fire and (were) able to ventilate and knock down the fire fairly quickly,” said Gilliland.
The fire started on the second floor of the house and worked up to the third floor. Firefighters had to break open the top windows and use a ladder truck to knock down the flames, Gilliland said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and the home is not habitable at this time, Gilliland said.
The blaze also prompted a response from the neighboring fire departments of Lynn, Salem, and Swampscott, which Gilliland said was a major help in being able to knock down the fire so quickly.
“They helped vent and were a huge help,” he said.
Hannah Chadwick can be reached at [email protected].
