ROCKPORT — A second-floor apartment on Park Street in Rockport filled up with smoke this morning, Aug. 26, as a fire involving an electric dryer began to burn and spread.

No one was home, and the fire was not discovered until a tenant of a nearby apartment noticed smoke spilling from the windows and attics of the 218 Park Street complex, and the smoke alarms sounding.

“The fire alarms worked like a charm,” said the owner of the complex, who arrived at the scene soon after the fire was discovered around 10 a.m. 

Rockport firefighters entered the apartment of the tenant, who had gone to work for the day. They hauled the burning dryer out of the building, spraying it and extinguishing the smoldering fire. Inside the dryer, clothes had burned and charred. There were no animals inside the apartment.

Firefighters remained on scene to determine just how the fire started with the dryer, as well as inspect the walls, ceiling and attic to determine any hot spots and further fire damage. Traffic along Park Street remained diverted to alternate routes.

“Turn off all appliances before leaving the home,” said Bruce Woodward, Rockport’s former fire chief, who was on hand to help out.

Dryers and dishwashers are notorious for causing house fires, the firefighters said. Never leave them going, even if you are going out for a short spell.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657