IPSWICH —Chief Andy Theriault reports that the Ipswich Fire Department extinguished a 2-alarm house fire this morning.
At approximately 1 a.m. today, the Ipswich Fire Department responded to reports of a fire involving multiple structures. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire conditions coming from the left side and back of a home at 25 Stage Hill Road and exterior fire on the vinyl siding of a neighboring home.
A 120-gallon propane tank’s pressure relief valve had gone off at the first house, and firefighters quickly worked to cool the tank down and began an aggressive attack on the fire. The fire had extended past a screened-in porch and into the first and second floors of the home as well.
No one was at the first home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. Residents of the neighboring home were home, however, and evacuated prior to firefighters’ arrival.
Firefighters vented the roof of the first home in addition to attempting an interior attack on the heavy flames, which ultimately extended up into the attic and roof area causing firefighters to pull out of the building.
Members of the Essex, Topsfield, Rowley, Wenham and Manchester-By-the-Sea Fire Departments provided mutual aid at the scene, and the Boxford, Beverly and Hamilton Fire Departments provided station coverage at the Ipswich Fire Station.
The home at 25 Stage Hill Road is believed to be a total loss following the fire due to extensive fire and smoke damage, and the neighboring home sustained exterior damage only to its siding.
Crews began clearing the scene of the fire at 7:30 a.m. this morning. The fire remains under investigation by the Ipswich Fire and Police Departments, as well as State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
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