Several animals saved, perished in rapidly spreading Westport barn fire

Westport Fire and surrounding communities responded to a barn fire at the 500 block of Sodom Road this morning shortly after 7:00 a.m.

According to the Westport Fire Department, Car 1 and Engine 3 arrived within 5 minutes of notification and found heavy smoke and fire rapidly spreading throughout the loft area of the entire structure. There were multiple exposures surrounding the barn, including the family home. Challenged by a lack of initial staffing and water supply, firefighters worked quickly to protect exposures, and thankfully, the fire was contained in the building of origin.

Mutual aid tankers and engines from Little Compton, Tiverton, and Dartmouth Fire District 3 were quickly called to the scene to assist with water supply and staffing. A fill site was secured at the Adamsville pond, and tankers shuttled water back and forth from the fill site to the fire scene.

Westport Highway Surveyor Chris Gonsalves was in the area and spotted smoke coming from the structure; after calling 911, he notified the property owners, and together, they attempted to remove the livestock in the barn. While several animals were saved by the property owners and firefighters, several, unfortunately, perished in the blaze.

During the incident, Dartmouth Fire District 2 handled a CO alarm on Caroline Way. While department members placed apparatus and equipment back in service, handling five medical calls between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

FD thanked their mutual aid partners, our EMA/Rehab division, Fall River Special Services, the Westport Police, and E911 dispatchers for their assistance.