(Courtesy Newburyport Fire Department)
NEWBURYPORT — Chief Stephen Bradbury reports that the Newburyport Fire Department knocked down a house fire Thursday night on Plum Island.
Newburyport police first spotted fire at 23 H St., a one-story ranch home, at 6:50 p.m. Thursday. Firefighters arrived shortly after and saw fire coming from near a Christmas tree. The first alarm was struck at 6:55 p.m.
The fire was knocked down by crews who fought the blaze under rainy and windy conditions.
The home suffered significant smoke and heat damage, with fire concentrated in the living room.
The resident and her dog safely left the home.
The Amesbury, Newbury and Salisbury Fire Departments provided mutual aid. Rowley and West Newbury, and Seabrook, N.H., provided station coverage.
Chief Bradbury would like to take the opportunity to remind residents of several tips for caring for their harvested Christmas tree.
- Tree lights should not be plugged into an extension cord. Plug lights into a wall outlet.
- Homeowners should water their tree once a day. Watering the tree less frequently will lead to it drying out.
- If the tree is dry, remove it from the home.
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