WEST NEWBURY — Chief Michael Dwyer reports that the West Newbury Fire Department and about two dozen mutual aid partners battled a four-alarm house fire early on Saturday evening.
Firefighters responded at 6:47 p.m. to 17 Brown Lane for a report of a fire in an attached garage. First arriving crews found heavy fire in the single-family home and immediately requested a working fire response. This was followed quickly by a second alarm at 6:56 p.m., and then a third alarm at 6:57 p.m., due to both the intensity of the fire and need for additional tankers to provide water for firefighting efforts.
Water availability in the area created extreme challenges. Tankers from eight Massachusetts and New Hampshire communities assisted. A water supply command was established to manage the incoming tankers and ensure that sufficient water was available. A fourth alarm was called at 7:47 p.m. for additional tanker support.
One firefighter was transported by ambulance to an area hospital out of an abundance of caution.
Crews cleared the scene at 11:50 p.m.
Residents of the home have been relocated.
Mutual aid was provided by the Atkinson, N.H., Boxford, East Kingston, N.H., Essex, Georgetown, Groveland, Hampton Falls, N.H., Haverhill, Kensington, N.H., Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, Newton, N.H., North Hampton, Plaistow, N.H., Rowley, and Salisbury Fire Departments.
The Seacoast Fire Chiefs Mutual Aid District responded with a regional air trailer and a tanker. Atlantic Ambulance Service provided advanced life support ambulance coverage and Tango 2, an incident support unit. The State Department of Fire Services also provided an incident support unit.
The Fire Department also was assisted by West Newbury public safety dispatchers, the West Newbury Police Department, the Department of Public Works, Water Department, and Inspectional Services.
The fire is under investigation by the West Newbury Police Department, West Newbury Fire Department, and State Police attached to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious at this time.
Chief Dwyer and the West Newbury Fire Department thank the many responding mutual aid partners and town departments who provided critical additional resources. They also wish to thank Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services for providing food, hydration, and meals on scene.