ERVING — Watching a movie on DVD, Duane Bowers heard a loud pop noise. He went over to his wood stove in the next room and saw dark flames. He called a neighbor from his cell phone to call the fire in while he started to use a five gallon bucket to pour water on fire in the wall by his wood stove. Bowers said he was using his wood stove at the time but only had two logs in at the time.
By the time the Erving Fire Department arrived to the secluded 142 North St. home around 11:30 a.m., the heavy smoke continued to pour out of the eaves of the metal roof. The fire was quickly contained by Erving and Orange fire departments, with the assistance of six other local towns. A first-alarm was struck by Erving because of the time of the day.
“The initial crew did a good job of keeping it in check,” Erving Fire Chief Phillip Wonkka said.
Within an hour, the scene was relatively calm as crews continued to pull items from the home. The wood stove was removed and identified as the likely cause of the fire on a cool Thursday, when a light show flurry began to fall as crews arrived.
Wonkka said residents, in general, should be “diligent with their wood stoves” this time of year. Check your smoke detectors monthly, as well, he said.
The home was badly damaged, but no one was hurt.
In addition to Erving and Orange fire departments, Northfield, Athol, Wendell, Warwick, Montague Center and Gill. MedCare and National Grid were also on scene.
The North Street home is recessed from the road. Crews stationed on the road with a portable water tank and down by the home. The home will not be immediately habitable, but the future of it is not yet known, Wonkka said.