As you drive down Sandwich Road you may notice something a bit out of place: Burnt belongings that have sat piled high since a January 15 fire leveled the house that once stood at 114 Sandwich Road.

“We’re not sure what insurance the owner has, but it appears he is responsible [for the clean-up],” said Myles Burke, Director of Inspectional Services.

Homeowner Joseph Phillips suffered second- and third-degree burns and was taken via helicopter to a Boston Hospital. Burke said Phillips now resides in a nursing home as a result of his injuries.

“It doesn’t appear the owner is capable physically ... or has the [financial] resources to clean up the property,” Burke said.

The fire caused $150,000 in damage to the home, which was determined to be a total loss.

Burke said the town is currently reaching out to Phillips’ attorney and the other two family members listed on the deed.

"I have been in constant contact with their attorney," said Health Agent Bob Ethier.

If unsuccessful, the town will likely declare the property “unsafe situation,” Burke explained. The town would then absorb the cost of the clean-up.

Firefighters from Wareham, Onset, and Marion were on the scene for nearly six hours trying to get the blaze under control.

The fire "was difficult to put out based on the amount of personal belongings that the homeowner had inside the house," Wareham Fire Department Captain Matthew Rowley said.

The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by the Wareham Fire Department, Wareham Police, and the state Fire Marshal.

Attempts to contact the family by Wareham Week were unsuccessful.