Fire forces Dover residents from home early Sunday

DOVER — A fire forced residents from their home at 221 E. Broadway St. early Sunday.

"It was caused by a resident using a fireplace," said fire Lt. Brian Stewart. "The fireplace had been cleaned, but there was a problem between the firebox and the chimney that allowed heat and gas to escape into a void space, which caused a fire."

Firefighters were called at 1:53 a.m. and arrived at 1:56 a.m. to see smoke in the first and second floors. The residents left the house after being alerted by smoke detectors, Stewart said.

He said the fire was contained at 2:54 a.m. Firefighters left at 3:46 a.m.

The occupants were unable to stay in the house, which sustained smoke damage throughout, Stewart said.

The single-family home was built in 1908, according to online records of the Tuscarawas County Auditor's Office.

Also responding were firefighters from Bolivar, Strasburg and New Philadelphia. Smith Ambulance went to the scene.

Stewart reminded people to change smoke detector batteries when they set their clocks back an hour on Nov, 7, the end of Daylight Savings Time.