A Wednesday morning explosion and ensuing fire heavily damaged a Marina Drive home, destroyed its attached garage, and sent the homeowner to the hospital.
Firefighters were called to 20 Marina Drive about 10:40 a.m. where they arrived to find the resident had escaped the blaze at the two-story, single-family home on his own, but with with injuries, Gloucester fire Chief Eric Smith said in a prepared statement.
The resident was taken to Beverly Hospital for treatment.
“Crews did an outstanding job attending to the victim and knocking the fire down quickly,” Smith said in the statement. “We’re hoping his injuries are minor and that he is released soon.”
The cause remains under investigation, but it appeared welding may have been involved, the Fire Department said.
At the scene of the fire, Marina Drive was blocked by firefighters, rescue equipment and more than a dozen fire hoses, forcing traffic on nearby Eastern Avenue to crawl. The home is located about a quarter of a mile from Eastern Avenue.
One of the homeowners, Kathy Pratl, was surrounded by family and friends on the front stoop of the house next door.
Pratl said her husband, Robert Pratl, was slightly injured.
“He’s fine,” she said. “I talked to him and he’s OK.”
While a crowd gathered, firefighters continued to spray hot spots on the house, paying particular attention to the home’s charred garage.
To quickly knock down the main body of the fire, crews used two, 2 1/2-inch hose lines before going into the attached garage to contain the flames there, according to Smith.
Inside the garage, several flammable containers and an oxygen tank burned, causing what appeared to be a small explosion as the gases in the containers vented and fueled the fire, Smith said.
Firefighters managed to knock down most of the fire by 11:09 a.m. and the fire was fully under control by about 11:20 a.m.
Fire damage was contained to the attached garage, which is likely a total loss, according to Smith. The rest of the home suffered smoke damage.
The family was displaced, the Fire Department said, but members reported having family to stay with in the area.
At the scene, the sidewalk across from the house was lined with neighbors, friends and family.
Bob Roland, who lives down the street, said his wife told him about the fire.
“I was shocked to see this happen,” Roland said.
Clay Takorian from West Brookfield was on vacation, renting the house across the street from the fire.
“I heard the explosion,” Takorian said. “I saw the smoke and flames. I’m surprised this happened. I’m just glad nobody else was hurt.”
“It’s an accident,” said Marianne Swenson, who lives in the neighborhood. “I’m just happy the gentleman is going to be OK. It could have been a whole lot worse. You can’t replace a life.”
Nearby resident Kathy Menesale said the area’s residents are a close-knit group.
“People care about each other,” she said.
Rockport firefighters provided station coverage in Gloucester, and eventually responded to the scene to provide additional manpower.
Staff Writer Ethan Forman contributed to this story.
Stephen Hagan can be reached at 978-675-2708 or at shagan@gloucestertimes.com.