SOUTHAMPTON — A homeowner was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation early Saturday morning after a fire on Cottage Avenue destroyed a single-story home, according to town fire officials.
Fire Chief John Workman said firefighters were called at around 12:21 a.m. to 29 Cottage Avenue for a structure fire. When fire engines arrived on scene, the blaze was roaring 30 feet into the air above the house, Workman said.
“It’s a total loss, because of so much fire prior to our arrival,” Workman said about the house. With the roof collapsed and extensive fire damage, some of the structure is still standing, he said, though “there’s not anything to rebuild.”
The homeowner escaped the fire and was placed in a car to keep warm before he was transported by ambulance to Holyoke Medical Center. Workman said Saturday afternoon he didn’t know the man’s current condition. The man was not interested in help from the Red Cross, Workman said, but the chief was working with the police department to see if there are other potential resources for the homeowner.
According to Workman, the man told firefighters a fire had started from a cigarette inside the house, and when the homeowner tried to put it out, the fire became worse.
“We prefer someone to call the fire department right away, because the time spent trying to put it out exposes you to the poison gases of fire,” Workman said.
Firefighters managed to knock down the blaze within about 20 minutes, Workman said. In addition to Southampton fire crews, mutual aid from Easthampton, Westfield and Holyoke assisted with the fire, he said. Around 20,000 gallons of water were used to extinguish the blaze, according to Workman.
Mutual aid remained on scene until around 3 a.m., Workman said, and Southampton crews stayed until 5:30 a.m. in case of any flare-ups.
Neighbors also offered to help the man, Workman said.
“It’s nice to see a community come out and support, especially in these times where people are socially distanced,” Workman said.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.