Hyannis fire investigated; displaced tenants get assistance

Dec. 09--HYANNIS -- Firefighters are still investigating the cause of a multifamily house fire Saturday afternoon at 174 Main St. that left the building's tenants displaced.

Upstairs tenants Katie Thibeau, her husband, Michael Barros, and their two children, Anabelle, 4, and Michael, 1, had just sat down to dinner around 4:15 p.m. when they smelled smoke. Unable to exit through the front door and fearful that the fire department wouldn't arrive in time, Thibeau and Barros headed for the window.

Around the same time, Joe Bundschuh, an employee at Scottie's Famous Pizza, was making a delivery at a nearby house when he saw flames through a window at 174 Main St.

"At first, I thought it was Christmas lights," said Bundschuh. But he quickly realized the glow was not from lights, but from flames.

Bundschuh ran to the house and stood under a window where Barros was screaming that he and his family were trapped.

Thibeau held Barros' feet so he could hand their children one by one out the window to the safety of Bundschuh's arms. A neighbor, Jim Carlson, held 1-year-old Michael while Bundschuh caught little Anabelle. Thibeau was lowered out next, and Barros leapt to safety.

"It was scary," Barros said.

Thibeau, Barros and their children are staying with family, said Nancy Johnson, the property owner.

The American Red Cross provided emergency housing to the home's downstairs tenants, who were two groups of two adults, said Kat Powers, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross. They were also provided with funds for food and clothing.

The house was deemed uninhabitable by Hyannis Deputy Fire Chief Dean Melanson, and it was boarded up as of Sunday.

The fire does not appear to be suspicious at this point, although several causes are being considered, Melanson said.

There were no smoke detectors sounding while Melanson was there, but he did hear a low-battery sound from a smoke detector, which could have been caused by the heat from the fire.

The house was equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, said Johnson, who is now waiting to hear from the insurance company.

"I don't know what's going to happen next," Johnson said.

According to assessor's records, the building, which was built in 1800, is valued at $494,700. The extent of the damage is unknown at this point.

"I really am thankful that nobody got hurt and everybody's safe," Johnson said.

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