A quick response by local and regional firefighters likely saved a historic Purchase Street home Wednesday night after knocking down a small fire on a second-floor deck.
Newburyport Fire Deputy Chief Stephen Bradbury said the cause points to combustibles placed over an outside heat vent. The fire was contained to the deck and extinguished "very quickly."
There was little damage and the homeowner was able to stay there Wednesday night, Bradbury added.
A resident of 46 Purchase St., called the Fire Department at 9:35 p.m. after spotting a "glow" on her deck. The Fire Department also received an alert from a hardwired alarm system, Bradbury said, adding firefighters cleared the scene at 10:51 p.m.