Fire Department responds to downtown fire


A Watertown Fire Department engine responds to a Jan 24 fire (Photo by Twila Schmitt, Watertown Current)

Just after 2pm on Friday, Jan 24, a fire in an industrial dryer was reported at Star Laundry on Kemp Avenue in downtown Watertown. The fire was contained to a single dryer, and was quickly extinguished by Watertown Fire Resue. Watertown Police Department also responded and the 200 block of east Kemp Avenue was blocked for a few hours. Watertown Municipal Utilities was also on hand.

Police, fire , and ambulance on scene (Photo by Brandon Heim, Watertown Current)

The apartments above the business were also temporarily excavated.

A social media post from Star Laundry read in part: “We should have minimal interruption in service as the fire was contained to a dryer. We would like to thank Mark (Buller) at Needleworks Sewing Center for calling in when he smelled smoke.”