A retired couple’s Westport Island home was destroyed Thursday when fire engulfed the building.

Flames were first reported about 2:30 p.m. on North End Road at the home of Stanley Lane, who is on the board of directors of the local fire department and serves as a first responder, Westport Fire Chief Bob Mooney said.

By the time crews arrived, there was little they could do to save the home, Mooney said. No one was hurt in the blaze.

Lane and his wife were out of town when the fire erupted, and their dog was being boarded elsewhere.

“To say he was distraught is a generous term, although he was very stoic about it,” Mooney said. “He’s one of the most safety-conscious persons I know.”

Mooney said six or seven surrounding departments provided mutual aid, including help to provide water to the scene, which is at a premium on the island, he said.

Although the home was equipped with an alarm system capable of detecting smoke and fire, no alarm was triggered. Although the State Fire Marshal’s Office has not completed its investigation, Mooney said he does not believe the blaze was suspicious.

Mooney speculated that lightning could have caused the fire if it struck near the home during a rainstorm this week. The surge of electricity would be capable of both disabling the alarm system and igniting a fire inside a wall.

“Sometimes it can take hours” for embers to break through a wall and ignite, he said.

Matt Byrne can be contacted at 791-6303 or at:

mbyrne@pressherald.com

Twitter: MattByrnePPH

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