Fallen Heat Lamp Blamed for Washington Street Fire

A heat lamp that had fallen onto the carpet of a third-floor apartment has been identified as the cause of a two-alarm fire at 140 Washington St. Sunday night.

Al Santostefano, acting fire marshal for the city's central fire district, said the heat lamp was being used to warm an iguana inside its terrarium. The lamp fell onto the floor, triggering a fire that damaged two of seven apartments in the building. The first floor of the white wooden building, which stands opposite the intersection with Broad Street, also houses Ursel's Web, a shop that specializes in high-end picture framing, and the law offices of McHugh, Chapman & Montalbano. 

Santostefano said the fire was contained to two apartments, the one on the third floor and the other just below. The apartments are located above the law offices.

The fire was extinguished in about a half-hour, according to Santostefano, who said efforts were hampered by the difficulty of breaking through the tough, plaster-and-lathe walls to get to the sparks inside.

He said there was some water damage to one of the law offices. Ursel's Web suffered no damage and is expected to reopen for business at its usual time on Tuesday.

Floor joists between the second- and third-floor apartments were charred and may have to be strengthened or replaced, he said. Both apartments have been evacuated.

Firefighters and equipment from the city's South and Westfield fire districts were summoned to the scene and helped with the efforts.