A quick spreading fire Saturday destroyed two attached homes in Chiltonville, one of which had just undergone a major renovation, according to fire officials.
It took more than 30 firefighters nearly five hours to put out the blaze, which caused an estimated $830,000 in damage to the properties at 26 and 28 Cliff St. — which were built more than 150 years ago.
The owner of 28 Cliff St. was away at the time, but his Nest camera alerted him to the fire, and he called for help, officials said.
The other unit was unoccupied but was scheduled to go on the market after being renovated.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it was likely accidental, Plymouth Fire Chief Neil Foley said.
When firefighters arrived at the scene around 6 p.m. Saturday, fire had engulfed the building. Firefighters used large hose lines to put out the fire on the exterior.
But extinguishing the fire inside the home, which was “fully involved,” was more difficult, according to Foley.
“The home was so old and had been remodeled several times,” he said.
The fire traveled along the roof line between the top floor ceiling and the roof and extended into the half of the building that was just renovated, Foley said.
“This was a very difficult fire,” he said, “very labor intensive.”
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Plymouth and discharged.
Firefighters from Duxbury, Carver and Bourne were called in to cover for the Plymouth Fire Dept. and ended up responding to eight calls, Foley said.
Firefighters from Kingston, Carver, and East Bridgewater also helped at the scene.
Foley thanked those fire departments, as well as the state’s Department of Fire Services, which sent a rehab truck to provide water and relief for firefighters at the scene.
“Everyone worked really hard and a lot of the people in the area were thankful we were there to keep the fire from spreading to other homes,” Foley said. “I can’t say enough for all the hard work.
The Red Cross is helping the displaced family —two adults— find a place to stay, Foley said.
Andrea Estes can be reached at andrea@plymouthindependent.org.