Fire Department

A fire brewing in a residential basement was caught early thanks to the family’s working smoke detector.

Occupants on Old Gate Road reported hearing their smoke detector in the basement around 7:00 p.m. They went downstairs to discover their dehumidifier was on fire. One person grabbed a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire, which was caught early enough that it hadn’t spread beyond the appliance itself.

The dehumidifier was removed from the home, and firefighters inspected the basement to confirm there were no remaining hazards. Smoke dissipated quickly, and the occupants were able to stay in their home.