LEVERETT — A two-story home just east of North Leverett center was destroyed in a fire reported to Shelburne State Police dispatch at 11:16 p.m. Sunday, according to Leverett Fire Chief Michael Visniewski.
Firefighters were informed via the 911 call that the two occupants of the 105 North Leverett Road home, who had no pets, were out of the building, and soon after learned that the two-story home was fully involved.
Initially, crews from Leverett, Montague Center, Sunderland, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, Amherst and Turners Falls were called in, but responding Leverett personnel upgraded the fire to a second alarm that led Shelburne dispatch to add Erving, Greenfield, New Salem, Wendell, Hadley and Pelham firefighters to the response.
The first Leverett Fire personnel arrived on scene at 11:30 p.m., with smoke and fire noted from all sides and all openings of the structure. An exterior-only attack was used, Visniewski said, due to the high heat output and knowledge that all occupants were out of the home.
North Leverett Road was closed by Leverett Police, allowing about 1,600 feet of supply hose line to be connected to a designated water source at the Cave Hill Road bridge, near the North Leverett Sawmill.
Within two hours, most of the fire had been put out, with the main section partially collapsed from the back side. A Leverett Highway Department excavator was then used to tear down the remainder of the structure.
Most crews were dismissed at 4:30 a.m. The road was reopened around 6 a.m. and the last personnel then left the scene.
No injuries were reported during the incident. The two occupants will be seeking alternative housing.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but is believed to have started on the back porch, Visniewski said.
During the nearly seven hours on scene, an unrelated medical call in town was handled by Leverett firefighters and South County EMS.
