Videos & Photos: Fire At Palmetto Road House

[Updating: Residents managed to escape unharmed after a Palmetto Road home caught fire after what sounded like an explosion at around 2.40am today. Residents of nearby properties were evacuated following the discovery of gas tanks adjacent to where the fire was located. 20 firefighters extinguished the blaze, and the property sustained serious damage including a roof collapse.]

At sometime around 2.45am this morning [Apr 13] a fire broke out at a residence in the Border Lane and Palmetto Road area, sending flames and smoke leaping into the night sky. The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service responded, and as of this writing are working to bring the fire under control.

Update 3.30am: The fire seems to be getting brought under control now, with flames no longer visible.

Slideshow with 15 photos from the fire scene:

Update 3.52am: Police Media Manager Dwayne Caines said, “First responders attended a report of a partial house collapse and fire that took place at a dwelling on Border Lane and Palmetto Road in Pembroke at 2:40am.

“It appears that the occupants of the home were awoken to the sounds of what they are describing as a loud explosion.

“All of the residents [three apartment residence] managed to escape serious harm before a portion of the structure was engulfed in flames‎.

Raw footage of the fire:

“The Bermuda Fire Service responded with two appliances and 14 fire personnel and an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway,” Mr. Caines added.

“Inspector Andy Morgan would like to thank the ‎neighbors in the area for their cooperation at the scene and he would like to further advise the public that Palmetto Road will be closed from Roberts Avenue to Bishop Spencer Road until daylight.”

Update 5.26am: The video below contains statements from Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service’s Dana Lovell and Bermuda Police Service Inspector Andy Morgan.

Inspector Morgan expressed his thanks to the area residents, saying they “responded very promptly to our calls for an immediate evacuation which was necessary due to the discovery of gas tanks adjacent to where the fire was located.”

Mr. Lovell said there were no reported injuries, and that it is too early at this time to determine the cause of the fire. Firefighters from all three stations [Hamilton, Clearwater, Port Royal] attended the scene.

Statements from Mr. Lovell and Mr. Morgan:

Update 12pm: A photo showing the damage, in clear daylight is below.

Update 12.14pm: MP Michael Weeks, who represents the area, traveled to the property to extend his support to the family who live there. He said he was told one person was at the hospital. Audio of his comments are below.

Update 1.28pm: Fire Service spokesperson Lieutenant Leonard Davis said, “The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service responded with 9 fire appliances staffed with 20 firefighters.

“The Fire Service took approximately 10 minutes to arrive on scene. Upon their arrival they found a 2 story dwelling fully involved in fire with a large section of the roof, approximately 20’ x 10’, collapsed.”

Lieutenant Colin Swan of the Operations Division said, “On our arrival we could see smoke and flames bellowing through the roof. Firefighters dressed in self-contained breathing apparatus and equipped with two 1 ½” hose lines immediately gained entry into the premises.

“The fire took approximately 45 minutes to bring under control. Once the fire was extinguished, overhauling operations commenced.”

Fire investigators were called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. The fire is currently under investigation.

Update 6.53pm: Police Media Manager Dwayne Caines said, “The Palmetto Road was opened to vehicular traffic in the early hours of this morning and the Bermuda Fire Service have released the scene.

“They will reassess the damage with a structural engineer on Monday to determine if the structure is safe for the occupants to return.

“There were 4 people in the housing complex all escaped without injury except a 54 year old woman who received relatively minor first degree burns to her arms and face prior to exiting the home.”

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Category: Accidents and fires, Accidents/Fires, All, News, Photos, Videos