Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Gloucester Fire Department Quells House Fire
GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith reports that the Gloucester Fire Department battled a house fire on Spruce Road last week.
At 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, Gloucester Fire received a call from the police department reporting a house fire at 6 Spruce Road. Engines 1, 2, and 3, as well as Ladder 1 and Rescue 1 responded.
Once on scene, firefighters found smoke showing from the second floor of a two-story home. All occupants were out of the house prior to the fire department’s arrival.
Firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire while the aerial ladder assisted with ventilation. The homeowner told Gloucester firefighters he attempted to extinguish the flames with a dry chemical extinguisher before being driven back by the smoke and heat.
Chief Smith estimated the damages at $70,000. The home is currently uninhabitable.
The fire was investigated by the Gloucester Fire Department, and it is not considered suspicious. Fire investigators determined the cause of the fire was a candle left unattended on a bedroom dresser.
“I commend our firefighters for their quick thinking and teamwork in tackling this fire,” Chief Smith said. “Their response was both timely and smart, which saved the owner’s possessions in other areas of the home as well as the structure itself.”
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