Fire threatens 19th century Newburyport home – The Daily News of Newburyport

NEWBURYPORT A faulty electrical outlet was identified as the cause of a one-alarm fire Tuesdayaround 11 a.m. that threatened to destroy an early 19th century home at 71 Washington St.

Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire said the fire was quickly spotted by the homeowner who called for help. If no one had been home atthe 1820 house the fire could have easily destroyed it.

"It could have been a lot worse," LeClaire said.

Local firefighters, along with Salisbury and Amesbury firefighters, made quick work of the fire which had spread from the outlet, located in the rear of an upper floor, into the wall.

As firefighters cleaned up the fire site, the city's electrical inspectorexamined the wiring in the house.

Thetwo-family houseis across the street from Cushing Park and was last assessed at $772,600, according to the city's online assessors database.

Read the rest here:
Fire threatens 19th century Newburyport home - The Daily News of Newburyport