Police And Fire Departments Respond To Brush Fire At Surfside On Saturday

Members of the Nantucket Fire and Police Departments responded to the area of Western Avenue near Surfside Beach Saturday afternoon after they received a report from nearby renters of a fire off the 18A walking path to Surfside Beach.

NFD personnel initially responded to Field Avenue and South Shore Road for reports of smoke, but received the follow-up report of a brush fire from the renters on Western Avenue. A witness at the scene told the Current they rent the home out every year and that his friends were on the home’s balcony when they suddenly glanced out and saw the flames and heavy smoke in the brush.

Tankers, engines, and cruisers arrived on the scene, with firefighters taking shovels and rakes to the area to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. The Nantucket Police Department also launched its drone to help firefighters locate the blaze. 

Fire Chief Michael Cranson praised his crew and the Nantucket Police Department for their efforts to control the fire on what was a very windy day, preventing it from spreading.

“Looks like the fire was the result of someone having a campfire, perhaps last night, and the wind just kept it going until it eventually extended to surrounding brush. Total area burned was about 50x25 feet. Several calls reporting smoke in neighborhoods was how it came in so we were driving around trying to find it. NPD put their drone in the air and were able to confirm the location and determine any extension which was much appreciated and very helpful. Very windy today which was a concern. Our crews did a great job confining and extinguishing the fire after about 45 minutes. It was on Land Bank Property and a representative from there was on scene as well. Cause is still under investigation at this point.”