Andover Home A Total Loss After Memorial Day Fire: Officials

ANDOVER, MA — Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of an early Monday morning fire in Andover that destroyed a Lowell Street home, Andover Fire Rescue said.

Nobody was injured in the two-alarm blaze, according to authorities.

Andover Fire Rescue said that dispatchers received a call about a fire at 3:33 a.m. and that the caller reported the fire was coming from outside the house. Authorities said the dispatcher heard smoke detectors sounding in the background and advised the caller to exit the home.

Crews arriving at the scene saw significant fire coming from the rear of the home, and a second alarm was struck, officials said.

According to Andover Fire Rescue, crews resorted to defensive tactics to fight the fire. However, the house was more than a half mile from the closest fire hydrant, which required firefighters to run lines a "significant distance" up the driveway, the department said.

Additionally, solar panels on the roof of the home made it difficult for firefighters to attack the blaze from above, according to fire officials.

Andover Fire Rescue said the 3,000-square-foot home, which was valued at more than $1 million, was declared a total loss.

At the scene, Andover Fire Rescue received mutual aid from Lawrence, North Reading and Tewksbury. Meanwhile, Methuen, Wilmington and Haverhill crews provided station coverage.

Officials said the origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by Andover Fire Rescue and the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal's Office.