Hingham’s Hobart Street fire ‘suspicious,’ investigation closed

Nov. 26--HINGHAM -- Police have closed the investigation into a September fire that destroyed a vacant 1775 house on Hobart Street.

The official cause of the fire is listed as suspicious, Hingham Fire Chief Steve Murphy said, but the investigation has been closed due to lack of evidence.

"There was a strong suspicion that this was an arson type of fire, but police weren't able to find any witnesses to corroborate that," Murphy said. "We did canvass neighbors and post on social media looking for any witnesses, but police didn't get enough evidence to deem the fire an arson."

The house at 17 Hobart St. was destroyed in a two-alarm fire on Saturday, Sept. 1. Firefighters responded at around 9:30 p.m. and it took nearly an hour to get the flames under control. At the time, Hingham Fire Department Capt. Jeffrey Becker said the house was "a total loss."

Murphy said the compromised structural integrity of the building and danger it presented made it difficult to conduct a thorough investigation. Additionally, because the homeowner did not have insurance on the house, there was no insurance company pushing for an intense investigation.

"We're thankful nobody was hurt," Murphy said.

The wood-shingle, Colonial-style home was built in 1775 and was last valued at $611,400, including the land, according to town tax records. It is owned, in part, by a realty trust based in Lakeville.

Murphy said the owner is working on tearing down the house, but it's still standing.

Reach Mary Whitfill at [email protected].

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