2 dead in Wellfleet fire

WELLFLEET, Mass. — Two people have died in a house fire in Wellfleet.

Wellfleet Firefighters were called to a home on 4th Street on Lieutenant Island in South Wellfleet around 12:30 a.m. Monday.

Several nearby fire departments responded and helped contain the fire to the one home. The building was a total loss.

Officials said the seclusion of the home created issues when firefighters needed to get to the burning home on Lieutenant Island.

“Their first engine had issues so it delayed response," Eastham Deputy Fire Chief Dan Keane said. "Water access is difficult out here, so establishing water supply was tough.

Keane said timing was also an issue.

"We are concerned about high tide, because the ride is known to be impassable after that," Keane said.

During the investigation, two people were found dead inside the building. Their names have not yet been released.

When firefighters arrived, they believed, like many homes on the island, that the house was empty for the winter.

"As far as we know, it was an unoccupied home," Keane said. "It came in from an unknown caller, who saw a glow in the sky."

People in town said the owners of the home would spend time there, even in the winter.

People said the relief this morning from hearing that no one was in the home quickly turned to devastation after learning the two were dead.

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The fire remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group