ELY — An Ely home was damaged by fire early Monday morning.
The fire department responded to the structure fire at 1033 E. Harvey St.and the fire “was quickly extinguished and additional spread was minimized,” according to a fire department news release.
No injuries were reported and the home was not occupied at the time of the fire.
The incident marked a milestone for the department: the first time its Tower 1 apparatus was utilized directly in fighting a structure fire.
“This was the first time the tower has been utilized on our post to address a structure fire, and it performed just as we expected it to,” Fire Chief Dave Marshall told the city council. “It was a great tool to use on that fire.”
Marshall noted that while the department had rolled Tower 1 out to another fire previously, they did not need to use it in that incident.
The fire is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s office, Marshall said.
“At this point, we can report the fire as accidental in nature,” he said, though he noted the investigation continues.

Recent department activity
In a recent report to city council, Marshall said the department received several calls related to sewer system testing.
“People were seeing smoke coming through the floor drains or just bathtub drains,” Marshall said about the sewer testing calls. He reminded residents that smoke coming from drains indicates a dry P-trap, which allows sewer gas into homes. “It’s very simple to fix. Pour some water down the drain and fill the trap back up to keep those sewer gases in.”
The department also responded to a fire at a gas station that originated from a battery issue.
New fire engine
Marshall provided an update on the department’s new fire truck, which he and three other department leaders visited at the Darley manufacturing facility in Chippewa Falls, Wis. last week.
“When we got to Darley, we were able to see the chassis in one spot, the body in another spot in the building, but they were both in the same building, so that was good,” Marshall said. “They just have to move toward each other to be put together.”
Darley is one of three major fire pump manufacturers in the United States and manufactures entirely domestically, Marshall said. The department expects to take delivery of the new truck before the end of December.
Safety reminders
With the recent time change and heating season beginning, Marshall urged residents to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
“This is a great time to check your smoke detector, your carbon monoxide detector batteries,” he said. “Replace them, don’t check them, just take them out and put new ones in.”
Marshall emphasized the importance of carbon monoxide detection as boilers and furnaces are being fired up for winter.
“Any fossil fuel in your home has an opportunity to produce carbon monoxide,” he said.
He also advised residents to check the dates on their detectors, noting that units 10 years or older should be replaced immediately.