STURBRIDGE, Mass. (Sept. 4, 2025) — A malfunctioning washing machine triggered alarms and forced residents to evacuate an apartment building Thursday evening on Heritage Green Drive, fire officials said.

The call came in at 5:50 p.m. as a fire alarm activation. Within minutes, additional calls reported smoke in the laundry room, prompting a first-alarm assignment.

Engine 2 arrived to find a smoke condition on the first floor with alarms sounding and residents already outside. Crews confirmed the source was a washing machine that had burned out.

Tower 1 provided ventilation with a fan, while Engine 1 deployed gas meters to ensure the three-story building was safe. Building maintenance was notified, and all units cleared the scene in about 30 minutes.

No injuries were reported.