ANDOVER — Chief Michael B. Mansfield reports that Andover Fire Rescue quickly extinguished a house fire this morning after a resident was alerted to the danger by working smoke detectors in their home.
At 9:07 a.m., Andover Fire Rescue was dispatched to 44 Morton St. for a report of smoke in the home. Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke coming from inside the home and subsequently located fire in the den area toward the rear of the home.
Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames with the use of a single hose line, bringing it under control by 9:50 a.m. The lone occupant who was home at the time was able to safely evacuate. No one was injured. The home’s smoke detection system played an integral role in providing an early warning about the fire and ensuring that help could arrive quickly.
There were no injuries, and firefighters estimate the cost of the damage — including moderate smoke and water damage on the first floor and minor smoke damage throughout the rest of the home — at $100,000.
“Today’s fire is a great example of the difference smoke alarms make in protecting lives and property,” Chief Mansfield said. “This early detection greatly reduced the damage the home could have otherwise sustained.”
The Lawrence, Tewksbury and Wilmington Fire Departments provided mutual aid during the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Andover Fire Rescue and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
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