For Immediate Release

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

West Newbury Fire Department Responds to Basement Fire

WEST NEWBURY — Chief Michael Dwyer reports that the West Newbury Fire Department responded to a two alarm basement fire at a single family home on Monday night.

At approximately 9:56 p.m., West Newbury firefighters responded to 588 Main St. for a report of a fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found that heavy smoke was coming from the home and flames were showing in the basement. All residents were alerted to the fire by smoke detectors prior to firefighters’ arrival, and had evacuated before firefighters arrived on scene.

No one was injured in the fire.

The Newburyport, Groveland and Byfield Fire Departments also responded to the scene, while the Georgetown, Newbury and Merrimac Fire Departments provided station coverage in the town of West Newbury.

West Newbury police, Atlantic Ambulance and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services also provided support at the scene.

Firefighters had extinguished the fire by 10:27 p.m. on Monday. The basement sustained significant fire and water damage, and the first and second floors of the building sustained smoke damage. The home is currently uninhabitable.

“Thankfully, this family was alerted to the fire by working smoke detectors and they were able to evacuate before we arrived at the scene,” Chief Dwyer said. “Smoke detectors can and do save people’s lives and prevent serious injury, and yesterday’s fire is a prime example of that.”

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office and the West Newbury Fire Department.

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