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Furnace malfunction believed to have caused fire at Oswegatchie home; Morristown firefighters make 'quick save'

Posted 1/16/17

OSWEGATCHIE — A furnace malfunction is believed to have caused a fire at 4371 State Highway 37 Sunday morning, according to Morristown Fire Department Chief Kevin Crosby. The blaze was reported at …

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Furnace malfunction believed to have caused fire at Oswegatchie home; Morristown firefighters make 'quick save'

Posted

OSWEGATCHIE — A furnace malfunction is believed to have caused a fire at 4371 State Highway 37 Sunday morning, according to Morristown Fire Department Chief Kevin Crosby.

The blaze was reported at 5:33 a.m. and firefighters were on scene seven minutes later confirming a structure fire in the back wall of the home.

Engine 34’s attack crew made quick work of the fire and had it under control in about five minutes, Crosby said.

Firefighters from Brier Hill and Heuvelton were told to stand down as the blaze was under control.

The fire was located in the back of the building where the chimney goes through the wall, Crosby said. He said the furnace is believed to have backfired or somehow malfunctioned which caused a chimney fire leading to the wall catching on fire as well.

“They did a great job knocking the fire down quickly and limiting the damage to possibly less than $1,000,” he said.

One firefighter was treated and released at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center for a knee injury suffered during a fall on ice, Crosby said.

There were five fire trucks, an ambulance, 22 firefights and eight junior firefighters on scene.

Morristown Fire was back in service at 7 a.m.

The homeowner was Louis Perry. The home was reportedly insured.