Main Street home brought to new life four years after fire

The home at 426 Main Street that sat vacant and charred since 2022 will soon be filled with residents again thanks to Lakeville construction company, Bachant Builders. 

The multi-family home went up in flames in late 2022, displacing eight families and sending one civilian and one firefighter to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The fire was likely caused by “careless disposal of smoking materials," according to the Wareham Fire Department. 

Bill Bachant, owner of Bachant Builders, said that he saw the potential in the building and wanted to keep a historical home standing. According to Bachant, the home is over 100 years old. 

"We took a beautiful old building— because they don't make them like that anymore. When we're done it's going to be magnificent," Bachant said. 

Those buzzing past the property could see the varying states of renovation the building underwent since construction began around last October. Bachant said that the damage within the building went far beyond fire damage. 

"Not only was there structural damage from fire, there was damage from years of neglect as well," he said. 

With rot present in the wood of the home due to it's vacant status, Bachant and his team have been hard at work getting it back to a liveable state. With new siding, fixing up holes and demolition, the new roof will be ready to be placed soon. 

"We need to get it buttoned up for the weather and then we'll bring in fans and dehumidifiers to get the moisture out of there," he said. "Then treat any possible mold, and start framing the inside and putting utilities in." 

The property has two buildings. Bachant has plans to make the main building two three-bedroom condos, the second will have a two bedrooms. 

"We're going to make them affordable," he said. "It'll have nice classic architecture and be a short walk to town." 

As progress continues, residents can expect the finished project by the spring. With new construction across town, Bachant said he likes to preserve the beauty of Wareham, the town he loves, by keeping the "olden day" charm. 

While not a lifelong resident, Bachant has, "been in Wareham more of his life than anywhere else." Community members can see more of his work like 426 Main Street around town like his recently finished project at 2838 Cranberry Highway. 

"We love working in Wareham," he said. "We've been here a lot of years and we're still here every day. We specialize in high-end renovations and construction. We do it all."