Cause of Friday night house fire is investigated
Peabody firefighters were called Friday in the early evening hours to a house fire at 403 Walnut.
"The fire didn't do too much damage," said fire chief Ronnie Harms. "It was a clean fire. It burned a hole in the floor in front of the fireplace, but we were able to get it all out fairly quickly."
Homeowner Charles Brown was home at the time. He felt a log rolled out of the fireplace onto the floor.
According to Harms "the fire and accompanying smoke damage probably amounted to about $10,000."
Harms confirmed the fire was investigated by the state fire marshal.
"It was just a precautionary measure," said Harms. "They found no evidence of wrong doing."
Florence Fire Department sent firefighters to assist.
Harms encouraged people to use caution when building fires in the fireplace.
"Be sure to have the flue cleaned, don't build the fire too hot, and don't leave a fire unattended," he said.
"This is a bad time of year for house fires. People should have had their furnaces checked already, but many haven't.
"With all the holiday decorating, be sure not to leave candles burning and make sure light strings are not worn. If you have a live tree, give it plenty of water so it doesn't dry out," he added.
Harms reminds people to use caution and common sense during the holidays.
