Andover Fire Puts Out 2-Alarm House Fire On Vine Street

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Fire Recue put out a two-alarm fire at 26 Vine Street Wednesday night, Chief Michael Mansfield said Thursday.

The residents are temporarily displaced as the home is uninhabitable and one resident had minor injuries.

Andover Fire responded to a 911 call about a fire on Vine Street at 7:23 p.m. Wednesday and found heavy flames and smoke coming from the house, on arrival. Two residents who had been home had already safely exited.

Mutual aid crews were brought in from Lawrence and Tewksbury to fight the fire, while Methuen, North Andover and Wilmington crews provided Andover with station coverage.

Crews began fighting from the outside, and then entered to put out hot spots once the bulk of the fire was knocked down. The fire was under control by around 8 p.m., and firefighters cleared the scene by 12:30 a.m., Mansfield said.

One male occupant was treated for minor injuries, but there were no other injuries. The reidents are being assisted with temporary housing by the American Red Cross.

Mansfield estimated the damage to the house at $350,000.

Andover Fire and the State Fire Marshal's Office investigated the fire and found that it began in a breezeway where a window air-conditioner was plugged into a four-way extension cord.

“We are entering a very hot and humid stretch of weather,” Chief Mansfield said in a statement. “It is critically important that air conditioners be plugged directly into a wall outlet that is designed to carry the heavy electrical load. Do not plug air conditioners into power strips or extension cords.”

The fire was fueled by propane tanks stored nearby.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.