Smoky Haze Traced to Burning Papers in Furnace Room

The Madison Fire Department responded to a multi-family complex on Manchester Road for reports of a fire alarm and a haze of smoke inside one of the homes.

There were no signs of trouble from the outside as Ladder Co. 7, Engine Co. 7, and Medic 7 arrived on scene and surveyed the complex from all sides. The 911 callers met firefighters outside and confirmed everyone in their household had safely evacuated.

Firefighters confirmed a light haze in the home but could not easily locate the source. When asked about potential sources, occupants advised the furnace had recently been worked on. Ladder 7 proceeded toward the furnace room, where a light pull on the door knob revealed a glow through a gap in the door jamb.

After forcing the door, firefighters found a small fire on top of the furnace, which they extinguished with a water can extinguisher. Firefighters identified the items burning as a stack of papers on top of the furnace, not the furnace itself. The fire did not extend to the furnace or nearby walls, but it did cause damage to the PVC exhaust tubes on the furnace.

No other homes in the complex were affected by the fire or smoke. Ladder 7 and Engine 7 remained on scene to clear the haze of smoke from the home. Occupants were advised not to turn the furnace back on until it could be repaired and inspected by professionals.