Emergency crews battle Cohasset house fire

COHASSET, MASS. (WHDH) - A house in Cohasset went up in flames Tuesday afternoon.

Firefighters raced to the scene to try and get the fire under control.

The fire was initially noticed by a neighbor, PJ Murphy, who was getting his mail around 12:30 p.m.

“When I saw the magnitude of the smoke coming out obviously I called 911 and said this a big one,” said Murphy.

Murphy started videotaping the flames after he called for help and learned no one was home.

He said he was concerned because it’s so dry outside and the flames were getting out of control.

People reported seeing smoke miles away.

“The biggest challenged was location,” said Cohasset Fire Chief Robert Silvia.

The house is located on the top of a hill on Rust Way.

The fire chief said the homeowner spent his entire life in the house and currently lived there with his own family and mother.

The roof of the house had collapsed.

The house had fire, smoke and water damage throughout.

The family’s pet dog was also reported missing after the fire.

They’re obviously distraught,” said Chief Silva.

“I’ve spoken to the homeowner and his mother and obviously in a little bit of disbelief at this point,” he added.

Fire officials said they believe the flames started in the back of the home.

Five additional towns helped out with extinguishing the fire.

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