Fire in Medford Public Housing Complex Quickly Contained

A chimney fire in the Medford Housing Authority complex on Exchange Avenue was put out quickly Tuesday afternoon.

Medford firefighters were called to 25 Exchange St. about 4 p.m. Tuesday where they found small flames and smoke eminating from the top of the gas chimney of the two-story complex, Deputy fire Chief Pat Ripley said. The fire was put out quickly and by 4:30 p.m. fire crews were clearing out the damaged section of the chimney.

A Medford Housing Authority work crew had been called to the unit earlier for a problem with the heating unit and was on scene when the fire broke out, Ripley said. The cause of the fire had not been determined as of about 5 p.m. Tuesday, he said.

Fire Capt. Peter MacDonald and his crew were the first to respond.

"There was some smoke and a little bit of flame," MacDonald said. "It appeared to be limited to the chimney, which was a good sign."

No one was hurt in the fire and the damage was mostly contained to the upper section of the chimney and a small part of the roof, Ripley said. Power was shut down to the block as fire crews worked Tuesday.