NEWBURY — Chief Dave Evans reports that members of the Newbury Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire on Saturday morning, but determined a heavy smoke condition was instead caused by a furnace and hot water heater.
On Saturday, April 20, at approximately 10:05 a.m., the Newbury Fire Department was notified of smoke in the building at 167 Elm St.
Chief Evans and Ambulance 3 from the Byfield Station were the first companies to arrive on scene, and they found smoke showing from the home’s front door and helped to evacuate two residents.
Engine 2 and Ladder 3 also responded from the Byfield Station, and Engine 10, Engine 9 and Ladder 8 responded from the Morgan Avenue Station.
Companies entered the home’s basement and determined there was not a fire, but a malfunction involving the home’s furnace and hot water heater. The furnace and hot water heater were shut off and the home was ventilated.
The Rowley Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene. Firefighters from Newburyport and Georgetown covered Newbury stations.
“Thankfully this was not a structure fire, but I was still pleased to see the large response to a possible working fire from both the Byfield and Morgan Avenue fire stations,” said Chief Evans. “This was an issue with a well-maintained furnace and hot water heater that caused no damage to the home despite generating a lot of smoke. The homeowner has contacted their maintenance company to take care of the issue from here.”