Family escapes smoky blaze in Andover home; firefighter injured in fall on ice

By Lauren Dezenski, Globe Correspondent

One firefighter was injured battling a two-alarm blaze in the basement of an Andover home this morning, Andover Fire Chief Michael B. Mansfield said.

Smoke was billowing from the home when firefighters arrived just before 7 a.m., Mansfield said. The firefighter was injured when he slipped on ice formed by the water used to combat the blaze, Mansfield said. He was treated at Lawrence General Hospital for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

With the help of more manpower summoned due to the second alarm, the fire was brought under control within a half-hour.

The home’s four residents were unharmed.

“The mom was alerted by a smoke detector going off in the basement,” allowing the family to escape before the fire could spread, Mansfield said.

Smoke damage left the home “uninhabitable for some time,” though the fire damage is limited to the basement and first floor.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.