The Groveland Fire Department quelled a deck fire on Monday night. (Courtesy Photo)

GROVELAND – Chief Robert B. Lay reports that a Groveland Police Officer and members of the Groveland Fire Department responded quickly to quell a large and quickly growing deck fire yesterday, saving a home from sustaining serious damage.

On Monday, May 9, at 5:15 p.m., the Groveland Fire Department received a report that a deck at a two-story wood framed house at 715 Salem St. had caught fire.

Engine 2 arrived to the scene minutes later. Groveland Police Officer Joshua Sindoni was already at the residence and had used a fire extinguisher on the flames. The residents, who were home at the time, safely evacuated from the house.

Firefighters then went to work, putting out the flames and clearing the remaining hot spots on the first-floor deck and attending to the first floor wall, where the fire had begun to extend. The fire, which also burnt through the deck to the ground, was under control at 5:32 p.m. and the scene was cleared at 5:55 p.m.

No one was injured.

The blaze originated on the deck and is believed to have been caused by careless disposal of smoking material.

“Due to the quick work by Officer Sindoni and first arriving fire crews, were were able to limit the extension of the fire and the damage,” Chief Lay said. “Thankfully no one was injured during this incident. We remind the community to always properly dispose of smoking materials, even when they’re outside, as any type of embers can ignite a fire.”

Chief Lay estimates the damage at approximately $30,000. Residents were able to return home after the fire department cleared the scene.

Fire Chief Robert Lay estimates the damage to the deck and first floor of the home at approximately $30,000. (Courtesy Photo)