Red Bank Firefighters Respond to McLaren Street Furnace Fire

A faulty furnace in an empty McLaren Street home caught fire Friday morning prompting response from three Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department engines.

Fire Chief John Mego said smoke was reported coming from a residence in the 100 block of McLaren Street. The home has been empty since the recent passing of its elderly homeowner.

First reported as a chimney fire, Mego said a preliminary investigation found that the fire originated in the furnace. The fire was contained before it could cause any significant damage.

Mego said the oil furnace, which produced the home’s hot water, continued to burn despite the water being shut off. An emergency shutoff in place designed to deactivate the furnace once the water level got too low apparently malfunctioned causing the fire.

The only damage to the home, Mego said, was to the side door, which had to be broken down by firefighters so they could gain access to the home. The fire was deemed under control minutes after the first crews arrived just after 11am.

Most crews cleared out shortly after 11:30am. Some fire personnel remained on scene waiting for the deceased homeowner’s daughter to arrive.