2 Dogs Die In Cape Fire That Injured 4 People

FALMOUTH, MA — Two dogs have died after an East Falmouth fire, the town's fire department said.

At 2:30 p.m. Monday, Falmouth Emergency Communications received a call from an occupant of a home on Lakeshore Drive in East Falmouth reporting a fire in the basement.

Engine 20 from the Hatchville Fire Station arrived on location and reported heavy smoke coming from the structure, but all occupants were out of the home and accounted for.

Fire crews entered the basement through a slider entrance in the foundation. They encountered heavy smoke and fire conditions while attempting to locate and extinguish the fire, officials said.

Additional fire personnel on the first floor found that the floor was compromised in several locations.

Fire command ordered all fire personnel out of the building, and a second alarm was dispatched for additional help. Fire crews repositioned to an exterior attack and extinguished the fire.

Once the majority of the smoke had cleared from the building, crews were able to reenter and fully extinguish the fire, officials said.

Three occupants were treated at Falmouth Hospital for non-life-threatening fire-related injuries. Unfortunately, the family's two dogs were unable to escape the fire.

One firefighter was evaluated on scene for a minor injury.

The fire remains under investigation by the Falmouth Fire Rescue-Fire Investigation Unit, Falmouth Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police Fire and Explosion Unit, which is assigned to the State Fire Marshal's Office.