Cape Cod Fire Damages Convenience Store, Gun Shop, Gym

YARMOUTH, MA — A fire at a convenience store in South Yarmouth Monday damaged not only the store, but also a neighboring gym and a gun shop, fire officials said.

Fire officials said the call came in from Cape Cod Convenience Store at 50 Long Pond Drive around 6:30 a.m. A store employee told dispatchers the back of the store was on fire, and she was the only person inside.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and a large fire inside the store's attic. The store is part of an L-shaped building that also houses Next Level Fitness and the Outdoor Shop, both of which sustained smoke damage during the fire.

Fire officials said they struck a second alarm to get additional help battling the flames.

"The quick decision to go to a second alarm due to the amount of fire and size of the structure was key to a successful outcome at this fire," said Deputy Fire Chief Jon Sawyer. "The second alarm quickly brought in our neighboring fire departments and through our combined efforts the fire was confined to one end of the structure. All crews on location did a fantastic job, with one very minor reported injury from a slip on the ice."

Officials said crews battled the fire by cutting large vent holes in the roof and using hand lines from the ground. The fire was out in about an hour, but not before it caused serious damage to the convenience store and fitness center, fire officials said.

Firefighters from departments in Dennis, Hyannis, Harwich and Brewster and Brewster helped extinguish the fire. Dennis, Hyannis and Chatham provided station coverage.

Fire officials said no cause has been determined for the fire, but the cause isn't considered suspicious.