NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

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January 26, 2009

Amesbury home destroyed in morning fire

AMESBURY -- A police officer's home was destroyed in an early morning blaze today.

The fire ripped through a lakefront home, rendering it a total loss, said Fire Chief John Brickett.

Firefighters got the call at 1:44 a.m., and discovered the fire was already spreading rapidly. Within 10 minutes of their arrival, the two-alarm fire was quickly upgraded to a three-alarm fire. A total of 12 fire departments from neighboring towns helped to fight the blase.

The home, at 54 Birchmeadow Road, belongs to Amesbury police officer Gary Wright. Firefighters say that smoke alarms in the house activated, and Writght, his wife Donna and their child escaped unharmed. They are staying with family members who live nearby.

Firefighting efforts were hampered by a frozen hydrant. The street is also narrow, which restricted access.

Brickett said the fire is being investigated, and no cause has been determined yet.

According to Amesbury assessor records, the two-story, 1,557-square-foot home was built in 1984.

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