Newbury Fire Department Extinguishes Fire in Historic Home

NEWBURY – The Newbury Fire Department, with assistance from its regional mutual aid partners, extinguished a fire in a home on the Lower Green.

Firefighters responded on Thursday, April 30, at about 2:48 p.m. to 7 Lower Green for a report of a house fire. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy smoke exiting the front door of the home.

Newbury Engine 2 and Ladder 8 were first on scene and stretched a line into the building. Newburyport Engine 5 stretched a back-up line off Engine 2 on their arrival and made entry to assist and check for extension.  Newbury Tanker 2 arrived and provided a water supply, since this home is off the water system.

The fire was placed under control at approximately 3:45 p.m., having been contained to the back rooms.

The building, originally Seddon Tavern, traces its roots to the 18th century at a notable location. The building was renovated in the 1930s and moved to the Lower Green. The home is within the Lower Green Local Historical District being considered at Town Meeting on Monday.

Mutual aid at the scene was provided by the Amesbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, Georgetown, and Rowley Fire Departments, as well as Cataldo Ambulance. The Groveland, Ipswich, and West Newbury Fire Departments provided station coverage. National Grid was on scene to assist in the shut-off of electricity to the home.

West Newbury responded to a medical call, along with Newbury Ambulance 2 and Newbury Ambulance 4, while covering the Morgan Ave Station.

At this time, the cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal, and the Newbury Police and Fire Departments.

“I want to thank my crews and our mutual aid partners for their quick response to this incident,” said Chief Evans. “Thanks to their efforts, this fire was contained and knocked down quickly.”

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