Quincy Fire Department responds Friday night to blaze in furnace of one-story home on N. Fifth

QUINCY — A fire originating in the furnace of a one-story residential house was extinguished by Quincy Fire Department firefighters Friday night. 

The Quincy Fire Department (QFD) was alerted at 7:08 p.m. to a furnace on fire in a house at 1120 N. Fifth. All crews arrived on the scene at 7:12 p.m., and moderate smoke was observed coming from the doors and windows of the house. The first crew entered the smoke-filled house and found a small fire in the furnace on the main level of the house had been put out with water. It was later learned that the occupants doused the furnace before exiting the house.

The attic was checked for fire, and none was found. The basement was searched, and heavy smoke was discovered. Fire was found in the basement in the overhead truss joists supporting the main level’s floor. Most of the fire was quickly extinguished, and remaining spot fires were extinguished within 20 minutes. 

Ameren was called to secure utilities due to the extensive damage. A water pipe in the basement burst, so the water was shut off inside the house. The city water department was notified to shut off the water at the curb.

QFD Cause and Origin investigators arrived and determined the fire originated with the furnace and spread to the basement through the ductwork. The cause of the fire in the furnace is under investigation.

Officers from the Quincy Police Department were on the scene, as was the Adams County Ambulance Service in case they were needed. No civilians or firefighters were injured at the scene.

The house suffered major fire damage to one-fourth of the basement and smoke damage throughout the basement and main level. Fourteen firefighters were on the scene from three engines, the aerial platform truck, the assistant chief, one deputy chief and two fire investigators.