WESTBROOK – The Westbrook Fire Department contained a structure fire at a historic Westbrook home this past weekend.

On Sunday, Nov. 30, at about 10:15 p.m., the department received a call of the fire at 430 East Bridge St. in Westbrook, where heavy smoke was coming from the home. According to a press release issued by Westbrook Fire Chief Andrew Turcotte, the fire originated in the main level bathroom, where firefighters were able to extinguish it quickly.

“The occupants, who were home at the time of the fire, escaped without injury,” he said. “Preliminary contents and property losses are unknown at this time, however, the area of origin sustained major damage.”

City Councilor Mike Sanphy said Monday that the house is one of the oldest in the city, built in 1736. He said the fire department saved a historic landmark in the city.

Turcotte said Tuesday the cause of the fire was a buildup of creosote within the chimney of the house, which spread into a bathroom that shared a wall with the chimney. He described it as a piece of PVC pipe that ran the length of the chimney, which overheated, causing a fire in the bathroom.

He said the fire, which destroyed the entire bathroom, serves as a reminder to homeowners to have “chimneys, woodstoves, and furnaces cleaned and inspected annually.”

Turcotte believes the family has already returned to the home.

WESTBROOK – The Westbrook Fire Department contained a structure fire at a historic Westbrook home this past weekend.

On Sunday, Nov. 30, at about 10:15 p.m., the department received a call of the fire at 430 East Bridge St. in Westbrook, where heavy smoke was coming from the home. According to a press release issued by Westbrook Fire Chief Andrew Turcotte, the fire originated in the main level bathroom, where firefighters were able to extinguish it quickly.

“The occupants, who were home at the time of the fire, escaped without injury,” he said. “Preliminary contents and property losses are unknown at this time, however, the area of origin sustained major damage.”

City Councilor Mike Sanphy said Monday that the house is one of the oldest in the city, built in 1736. He said the fire department saved a historic landmark in the city.

Turcotte said Tuesday the cause of the fire was a buildup of creosote within the chimney of the house, which spread into a bathroom that shared a wall with the chimney. He described it as a piece of PVC pipe that ran the length of the chimney, which overheated, causing a fire in the bathroom.

He said the fire, which destroyed the entire bathroom, serves as a reminder to homeowners to have “chimneys, woodstoves, and furnaces cleaned and inspected annually.”

Turcotte believes the family has already returned to the home.