GROVELAND — Chief Robert Valentine reports the Groveland Fire Department extinguished a basement fire during the weekend.

On Saturday, April 3, at about 1:30 a.m., Groveland Fire responded to a report of a fire at 17 Chestnut St. 

Upon arrival, firefighters learned that residents of the home had been alerted to a fire by their smoke alarms, and as a result all residents evacuated safely before firefighters arrived. No one was injured.

As a result of the smoke alarm’s early detection of the fire and a dispatcher who identified early on while talking with the home owner that smoke was coming from the basement, firefighters were able to quickly determine that the fire had originated in the basement and contained it there. 

The West Newbury and Newburyport Fire Departments also responded to provide station coverage while Groveland Fire responded to the scene.

Firefighters had the fire under control by about 1:50 a.m. and first responders cleared the area at 2:47 a.m.

Water and fire damage was contained to the furnace and basement, and smoke damage was done throughout the home. It is estimated approximately $15,000 in damage was done by the fire.

“This is a prime example of why it is imperative that everyone keeps their smoke alarms up to date,” Chief Valentine said. “The alarms woke everyone in this house up, giving them enough time to evacuate safely, and it also meant that we arrived early on and were able to mitigate its spread as a result. We encourage everyone to test their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors once a month to ensure they’re working properly.”

Following an investigation by the Groveland Fire Chief and Fire Prevention Officer, the cause of the fire has been determined to have been an overheated motor in a gas furnace.

 

 

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Groveland Fire Department Extinguishes Basement Fire

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