HANOVER, Mass. — A South Shore homeowner says he lost a massive collection of artwork and sculptures after a fire broke out in his barn-turned-art studio that also happened to be occupied by a woman living inside.
The three-alarm fire broke out in a three-story barn on Whiting Street that had been converted into a residence, Hanover Fire Chief Jason Cavallaro said.
A person was asleep inside the home while it was on fire, according to Cavallaro, and a person passing by the area saw the flames and called 911 just before 2 a.m.
Hanover police got to the home quickly and were able to wake up the sleeping person. That person followed the officers’ voices and was able to escape the flames.
Cavallaro said the entire building was engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived.
“That occupant was very lucky,” Cavallaro said. “Somebody was passing by and was able to see it and call 911, police officers were able to arrive early and notify that occupant who was sleeping. It could’ve been a different story potentially if that had not occurred.”
Crews were able to stop the flames from spreading to the main home just 10 feet away.
“The adjacent main house wasn’t damaged, but they were evacuated just as a precaution,” Cavallaro said.
Jim Henderson, who owns the property, says he lost his art collection that dates back 50 years, but he is glad the woman who was staying in an apartment in his barn escaped unscathed.
“I was lucky that I was alive. I was lucky that nobody got hurt,” Henderson said.
Firefighters from several other communities, including Rockland, Hingham, Whitman, and Norwell assisted Hanover crews at the scene.
Cavallaro said crews had some communications issues due to problems with their radios but did not face any other obstacles fighting the fire.
There were no reported injuries in the fire.
The blaze caused about $200,000 in damage, according to fire officials.
State troopers assigned to the State Fire Marshals Office are assisting Hanover firefighters with an investigation.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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