By Beacon Staff
Burlington firefighters quickly extinguished a furnace fire Wednesday evening after neighbors reported a loud “boom” on Gunnison Street at 4:47 p.m. Wednesday, April 15.
A dozen Burlington firefighters responded to the reported furnace explosion within three minutes and saw smoke issuing from the two-story wood-frame house as they arrived. Once on scene, firefighters discovered a fire above the furnace, and immediately extinguished it. They stayed on the scene until 7:10 p.m. while the source of the blaze was investigated.
Burlington Fire Marshall Mark Crooks said the cause of the fire was accidental, a mechanical malfunction within the furnace.
The single-family home, owned by Brian and Elizabeth Mosher, sustained about $20,000 in damage to the structure, furnace, and electrical system. There were two occupants in the house at the time of the incident, and both were able to escape without injury.
The house is insured and was equipped with working smoke detectors.
Six West Burlington firefighters responded to a call for mutual aid. The Burlington Police Department. Superior Ambulance and Alliant Energy also assisted at the scene.