Fire Destroys Historic Hotel, Other Buildings on MA Island

The historic Veranda House Hotel on Nantucket was engulfed in flames as a blaze ripped through it and multiple other buildings this weekend, authorities said.

More than two dozen firefighters from Nantucket and communities on Cape Cod responded to the scene of the blaze Saturday morning to help put it out. The resulting damage to the structures that caught aflame is extensive, and several of the buildings are completely destroyed. However, nobody was injured in the blaze, according to the Nantucket Fire Department.

“With the support of all the first responders, and our local community members, we can confirm that all employees and guests are safely evacuated and accounted for,” the hotel wrote in a Facebook post. “The safety and security of our guests, team, and community is our top priority and we will continue to work closely with emergency responders and safety authorities.”

A 911 call made around 6:45 a.m. reported a fire at a building in the area North Water Street and Step Lane in the downtown core district of the island. The location of the blaze was identified as the hotel at 3 Step Lane, according to the department.

An off-duty fire captain and several bystanders ran to the hotel after hearing about the fire, entered into dangerous conditions without protective equipment and made sure everyone got out safely, authorities said.

The captain was directed by a guest to a room that possibly had a person in it but found it was empty. However, he discovered two other individuals in the hallway and helped them to safety, according to officials.

“He attempted to search further but was driven back by the intense heat and smoke. The actions of the citizens and the Captain saved lives,” the department said.

By the time firefighters arrived, the patrons of the hotel were evacuated. The heavy flames in the hotel prevented the crew from entering, according to authorities.

The first firefighters that arrived found heavy flames on the east side of the hotel across all three floors of the building. The crew proceeded to make sure the building was evacuated and simultaneously worked to start extinguishing the blaze, officials said.

As more firefighters and equipment arrived at the scene, hose lines were set up to keep the fire from spreading past the hotel, which is near neighboring homes. However, due to how close the hotel is to other structures, the blaze spread to several buildings, according to the department.

“Extensive fire developed in at least two of the buildings,” the department said. “The spread of the fire caused redeployment and repositioning of personnel on scene to address the larger area involved.”

The estimated cost of the damage the blaze caused is unknown at this time, authorities noted.

A total of 12 firefighters from the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire District, Hyannis and Yarmouth traveled by ferry to Nantucket to help put out the fire. Another 17 Nantucket firefighters also worked to extinguish the blaze, according to officials.

No injuries were reported, but two firefighters were taken to the hospital for possible heat exhaustion and a third for a back injury, the department noted.

“Fire department personnel are still on scene and expected to be so for an extended period. This will be a long term operation,” the department said.

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