Fire Damages Home on Spier Drive

A fire in the attic of a home on Spier Drive caused moderate damage to the home, displacing the residents who discovered the blaze shortly after doing some basic home repairs in their dining room, according to fire and police reports.

The homeowners had been working on changing a light switch when they reported hearing “crackling” noises in the attic and seeing “a glow” around the ceiling heating vent and smoke, said Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin. They attempted to put the fire out in the attic with their own fire extinguisher and called 911.

 “It wasn’t a big fire,” Mullin said. But it was challenging for firefighters. The fire was in a tough area to reach and firefighters needed to pull down pieces of plywood and ceiling to reach the area. The roof and heating unit were damaged.

The fire broke out at 8:15 a.m. Monday, said Mullin, who credited his volunteer crew for responding with “a quick, aggressive attack” despite the cold and icy conditions.

No injuries were reported, and the Livingston First Aid Squad responded as a precaution.

Mullin once again asked that Livingston residents make sure that snow is shoveled from around fire hydrants. On Spier Drive, the hydrants were free of snow and the firefighters were able to effectively put out the fire. “In an emergency, every second helps,” he said.

The cause of Monday’s blaze is under investigation, but it appears to be related to the electrical work, Mullin said.