Responders rescue man with life threatening injuries after fire, explosion at Cape Cod auto body business

The heroic acts of responders on Cape Cod may have saved a man’s life.

According to the Hyannis Fire Department, at just before 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Barnstable Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a fire or explosion at an auto body shop at 105 Ferndoc Street and dispatched the Hyannis Fire and Barnstable Police Departments. The first arriving Barnstable Police Sergeant determined that an occupant was still inside the building with fire and smoke visible. 

Upon arrival, the first Hyannis Fire Department Company, Tower Ladder 1, immediately made entry into the building, prior to the arrival of an engine company and without the protection of a hose line, to search for the occupant. They quickly found the occupant, removed him to the exterior to an awaiting Hyannis ambulance. 

Additional fire companies arrived shortly thereafter and extinguished the fire. The fire was associated with the failure of a waste oil storage tank which released a substantial amount of oil and other fluids. 

The adult male who was injured required extensive decontamination prior to being flown to a Boston area hospital by Boston Medflight with life threatening injuries. 

Additionally, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and the Town of Barnstable Health and Public Works Departments were engaged to limit the effects of the released oil. The fire and explosion remain under investigation by State Troopers assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Barnstable Police Department, and the Hyannis Fire Department.