Arson Investigation Underway At Site Of Danvers Fire

DANVERS, MA -- The Salem News is reporting that police, fire officials and the State Fire Marshal's office are investigating a fire at a house on Poplar Street earlier this month. The two-alarm fire caused significant damage at 71 Poplar House, which was unoccupied and undergoing extensive renovations at the time.

Danvers Police confirmed that scanner activity of Tuesday afternoon was related to an "arson investigation," according to the newspaper. The property was last sold in June for $265,000 and has an assessed value of $247,500.

Crews from Danvers, Beverly, Peabody and Salem responded to April 2 fire which closed Route 62 in Danvers during rush hour. According to fire department radio transmissions, the fire at 71 Poplar Street was under control within minutes of fire fighters arriving.

For more on this story, see the Salem News. Subscribe to Danvers Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Photo by Beverly Fire Department.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).