June 1 2010.... At 6:09 PM tonight, a tractor trailer jack knifed on I 95 on the Saugatuck River Bridge. The driver escaped serious injury but was evaluated by Westport Firefighters and Westport EMS on the scene before being transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment. The driver of the vehicle claimed he was cut off and swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle when he lost control of the truck and hit the bridge wall. The tractor was heavily damaged and oil and diesel fuel leaked from the vehicle. Prior to the arrival of the Fire Department, several gallons of that spill leaked into the storm drains and into the Saugatuck River and the parking lot below the bridge. Upon arrival, Firefighters used speedi dri and absorbent booms and pads to prevent any further runoff of fluids into the storm drains. The Department of Enviromental Protection and the Coast Guard were notified of the spill. Firefighters slowed the flow of leaking fluids from the motor and contained the spill. Two agents from the DEP responded to the scene to facilitate the cleanup process. Connecticut Tank Removal was hired to conduct the cleanup. State DOT trucks were called to the scene to put sand on the roadway to further protect the road surface from becoming slippery from the spill. The truck was towed from the scene. The last Fire Department unit cleared the scene at 8:43 PM.

HOUSE FIRE OUT

June 1 2010.... At 12:53 AM this morning the Westport Fire Department received a call for a house fire at 100 Partrick Rd. Four engines and ladder truck and the shift commander’s vehicle responded and while en-route additional information received was that the fire was out but the house was filled with smoke. Firefighters checked the area that had burned, a small desk area with shelves, and found charring from the fire and a moderate smoke condition throughout the house. Firefighters used fans to remove the smoke and thermal imaging cameras to verify that the fire had been extinguished. The house was under renovation at the time of the fire and was occupied. Early warning of the fire by the sounding of smoke detectors in the home and the use of a fire extinguisher kept this fire to a minimum. Residents are reminded that smoke detectors safe lives and as this fire was during the night while the occupants were asleep, the early warning by a beeping smoke detector, the owner having a fire extinguisher available and the knowledge on how to use it kept this fire in check and damage to a minimum. The fire is under investigation by the Fire Marshal and the family was able to stay in the house after firefighting activities were completed.  The last Fire Department vehicle left the house at 2:04 AM.

MVA AT INTERSECTION

May 29 2010.... The Westport Fire Department, along with Police and EMS, responded to the report of a 2 car motor vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Post Road East and Buckley Ave. North.  Upon arrival we found both cars with significant front end damage and leaking fluids.  The passenger of the Volkswagen was complaining of significant neck and back pain.  Engine Company 5 crew assisted EMS in packaging the patient for transport while the Rescue Company used hand tools to force the car door to facilitate removal of the patient.  Another occupant of the Volkswagen was treated on the scene by Fire and EMS but refused transport to the hospital.  The remaining occupants of both vehicles denied treatment and transport to the hospital.  The leaking fluids were contained by absorbent material and FD personnel remained on scene until both cars were safely removed by wreckers.  Last FD unit cleared the scene at 7:50 pm. 

TRASH FIRE

May 29 2010.... The Westport Fire Department received a call of a trash fire at the rear of 578 Post Road East at 12:12 pm.  Because it was reported that the trash was up against a building, 2 Engine Companies, the Truck Company, and Shift Command Car were dispatched. The landlord for the building had come out to help the tenant, Princess Jewelers with their closing sale when it was noticed that smoke was coming from the top of a storage box at the rear of the business.  The Fire Department was immediately dispatched and found a small amount of rubbish that had been placed on top of the metal storage box to be smoldering.  The Engine Company laddered the box and extinguished the fire with a water extinguisher.  The Truck Company removed the trash from atop of the storage box and determined that no damage to the building or the box itself.  The cause remains under investigation.  All units cleared the scene at 12:24 pm.

DUMPSTER FIRE

May 28 2010.... At 4:04 PM today the Westport Fire Department responded to a dumpster fire next to a house at # 10 Evergreen Ave. The Westport Police arrived first and reported a working dumpster fire next to the house but no extension to the house itself. Engine 2 from headquarters and Engine 6 from the Coleytown station responded along with the Shift Commander’s vehicle and used 1000 gallons of water to extinguish the fire. The house was checked and no fire had extended to the structure. The house was unnoccupied at the time of the fire and is undergoing major renovations.  The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. Residents and businesses are reminded that dumpsters should be placed well away from the building during construction. Had this dumpster been full at the time of the fire, extension into large picture window on the second floor could have occurred making the situation far worse.

STRUCTURE FIRE

May 17 2010.... At approximately 3 PM this afternoon the Westport Fire Department responded to a report of smoke in the building on Tamarac Road in Westport. First arriving personnel found moderate smoke issuing from the 1^st and 2^nd floors of an expanded Cape Cod style house.  The homeowner, whom had just arrived home, advised Fire Personnel that the house was evacuated with the exception of a cat still inside.  Fire department personnel quickly located the source of the smoke, an incipient fire burning in the kitchen, and extinguished it with an 1-1/2” hoseline.   Simultaneously Firefighters from the Truck Company searched the building confirm all occupants were out and located the cat in a 2^nd floor bedroom, the cat was unharmed. The fire, which started in a plastic garbage can, was determined to be accidental in nature by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office. Residents are reminded to dispose of oily rags properly, placing them outside in a metal garbage can or allowing them to air dry outdoors before disposing.  Please read precautionary statements on the product label or contact the Fire Department if any question exists. Additionally, the Westport Fire Department strongly urges all residents to have working smoke detectors in their homes. The Westport Fire Department responded to this incident with it’s entire on-duty shift: 4 Engines, a Ladder Truck, and Shift Commander.  The last fire department unit cleared the scene at 4:24 PM.

STRUCTURE FIRE

May 15 2010.... On Saturday May 15 at 6:24 PM  the Westport Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire on Partrick Rd. in the area of Old Hill Rd. Additional information gave an address of house #21. Four Engines a Ladder truck and the Shift Commanders vehicle responded to the initial call, with an additional ladder truck from Norwalk requested to the scene as a Rapid Intervention Team and an Engine from Fairfield to cover fire headquarters for any additional calls in town. Westport Police arrived on scene first and the occupant reported to them that everyone was out of the house.  Upon arrival a large volume of fire was visible from the rear of the building and from the front picture window. Firefighters laid a 5” supply line from a nearby hydrant and stretched (2) 2.5 inch hose lines through the front door to extinguish the fire. During the search on the second floor, firefighters located the family dog that perished in the fire. A total of twenty five firefighters from Westport and five from Norwalk were on scene. One Westport Firefighter was injured and transported to Norwalk Hospital with minor injuries. The cause of the fire is undetermined and is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office with assistance from Westport Police Detectives at this time. The last fire department unit left the scene at 11:30 PM.

More photos here

DUMPSTER FIRE

May 14 2010.... at approximately 1:49 am the Westport Fire Department was alerted to a dumpster fire at 10 Moss Ledge Road after a neighbor spotted flames at that location. Greens Farms Engine Company 5 and the Shift Commander initially responded and found a 30 yard dumpster on fire. Engine Company 2 from Headquarters was requested to provide water and manpower to fight the fire. An adjacent port-o-let was damaged from the heat and flames. The fire was quickly extinguished and all units cleared the scene at 2:47 am. The house is under construction at this time and not occupied. The dumpster was located away from the structure under construction. The Westport Fire Department would like to remind homeowners and contractors to never place a dumpster next to or inside a structure.  They should always be placed well away from any structures or other exposures.

VEHICLE COLLIDES WITH CONSTRUCTION TRUCK

May 13 2010.... at approximately 3:16 this morningThe Westport and Norwalk Fire Department responded to a single car accident into the rear of a Signal Marking Inc construction truck. Work was being conducted on I-95 North at the time of the accident. The lone driver/ occupant of a Jeep Grand Cherokee had to be extricated from her car and transported to Norwalk Hospital for further treatment of non life threatening injuries. The driver of the construction vehicle who was in the truck at the time of the accident was also transported to the hospital for further evaluation. Fire Fighters had to contain approximately 10 to 15 gallons of diesel fuel due to a broken fuel line in the construction vehicle while awaiting arrival of a Department of Environmental Protection Representative. Clean Harbor clean up contractors were then notified to clean up the spill. The last Fire Department vehicle cleared the scene at 0505 hrs.

MVA WITH VEHICLE ON FIRE

May 13 2010.... at 10:16pm this evening the Westport Fire Department received a report of a motor vehicle accident and car fire on the Merritt Parkway north bound between exit 42 and 44.  We responded with Coleytown Engine Company 6, Headquarters Engine Company 2, Rescue Company 3, and the Shift Command Car.  Fairfield Fire Rescue units arrived on scene southbound at the Redding Road overpass and found a 2 car accident with one car’s engine compartment fully involved in fire.  They immediately stretched a hose line across the median to attack the fire and treat the injured.  The Fairfield Shift Commander requested an Engine Company from Westport for a water supply and canceled the remaining responding units.  The extent of injuries was not known at this time as the injured were being treated by AMR ambulance on scene from Fairfield.  All Westport Fire Department units cleared the scene at 10:30pm.

CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT INJURES WORKER

April 29 2010....Shortly after 10 am this morning, the Westport Fire Department responded to a call for medical assistance in the Saugatuck section of town. Responding along with Westport Police and EMS, Saugatuck Engine Company arrived at a construction site and found an injured worker whom had been struck in the head with a 20’ long metal drilling pipe.  Co-workers had discovered the worker lying in mud alongside a geo-thermal well drilling rig.  Firefighters along with Police and EMS administered care, packaged the patient, and EMS transported the worker to Norwalk Hospital Emergency Room. Police and Fire officials remained on the scene while OSHA conducted a routine investigation. OSHA released the scene and last units cleared at 12:16 pm this afternoon.

PICKUP COLLIDES WITH TREE ON MERRITT PARKWAY

April 21 2010.... at approximately 4:34 this afternoon the Westport Fire Department and Westport EMS received a call for a motor vehicle accident with injuries, a pick up truck vs. tree with driver trapped.  Engine 6 from the Coleytown fire station, Rescue 3 and the shift commander’s vehicle from Fire Headquarters responded along with the Fairfield Fire Department and AMR ambulance service to the scene. Upon arrival just south of the Merwin’s Lane overpass, the Fairfield shift commander reported a pick up truck up against the tree on the drivers side with the driver trapped and with severe injuries. He requested that the Westport units continue to the scene to assist Fairfield Firefighters with the length process of removing the driver from the vehicle. Several “jaws” of life hydraulic rescue tools were required to free the driver from the badly damaged pick up. The roof and both doors were removed to gain access to the driver and remove him so that he could be placed on a back board and transported to the hospital. After removal from the vehicle with assistance from both fire departments, AMR and Westport EMS, the driver was transported to Norwalk Hospital by AMR with serious injuries. The last fire department vehicle cleared the scene at 5:42 PM.

ROLLOVER ON POST ROAD EAST

April 13 2010.... at 4:33 PM this afternoon the Westport Fire Department along with Westport Police and EMS responded to a reported motor vehicle accident, rollover with injuries at the intersection of Post Road East and Compo Road South. Upon arrival, responding units found a Chevy Cavalier on its roof and leaning on a Saab station wagon, with the driver of the Cavalier hanging upside down by the vehicles seatbelt.  Firefighters worked to stabilize the vehicle, and remove occupant onto a backboard and stretcher for transport by Westport EMS to Norwalk Hospital with minor injures. Two other parked vehicles in the parking lot of the Compo Shopping Center received minor damage as the Cavalier bounced off of them as it rolled.  The Cavalier was righted and placed on a flat bed from Riverside Service Center for removal and the other three vehicles were able to drive away. Westport Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

RAILROAD TRACK FIRE DELAYS TRAINS

April 12 2010.... at approximately 8am a call came in to Westport Fire Department reporting a fire on the tracks at Westport railroad station. Initially Engine 4 from Saugatuck and the shift commander responded to the scene. Engine 4 found railroad ties on fire and called for Engine 5 to assist with water. With rail traffic either stopped or on a slow down, firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and reopen the rails shortly after all firefighters cleared the tracks.

GARAGE FIRE QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED

April 4 2010.... at approximately 1740, the Westport Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in a detached garage located at 46 Kings Highway South. The fire was contained to a pile of oil stained rags and a few cans of stain. Personal items were damaged by heat and smoke. The Westport Fire Department responded with four Engines, a Rescue and Command Car. The fire was quickly extinguished and all apparatus placed in service by 1819 hrs.

MOTORCYCLE DOWN ON I95

April 3 2010.... at 3:14 pm the Westport Fire Department received a call for a motorcycle accident on Interstate 95 southbound between exit 17 and 16. Saugatuck Engine Company 4 was first to arrive on-scene after fighting heavy traffic and found a Honda Goldwing motorcycle on it’s side up against the median. A passing American Medical Response ambulance stopped to render emergency medical attention to the injured motorcyclist.  Firefighters assisted transferring the injured Massachusetts man to the AMR ambulance who then took him to the hospital. Rescue Company 3 was placed in service and returned to fire headquarters. Engine Company 4 remained on scene for approximately two hours to assist the State Police with their investigation of the accident.

LADDER TRUCK FAREWELL

March 31 2010.... early this afternoon Westport Fire Department's 17 year old ladder truck, Truck One, was hauled onto the back of a flat bed and headed to Ohio for a major refurbishment. Just a few days ago the truck was partially crushed by a falling tree while operating at a fatal accident during the Nor'Easter that hit Fairfield County. Since that accident the fire department has been operating a loaner vehicle supplied to them by Stamford Fire Rescue. The refurbished truck is expected back in Westport some time later this year.

SERIOUS FLOODING IMPACTS WESTPORT 

March 30 2010.... a two day rain event dumped more that four inches of rain on Westport causing serious flooding across the town. The tremendous rainfall on top of the already saturated ground caused basements to flood, small streams to become raging rivers and the Saugatuck River to overflow it's banks. Many residents lost power once again but not on the scale of the recent outages experienced earlier this month. Fire and Police services were kept extremely busy  throughout the storm.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON I95 NORTHBOUND

March 29 2010.... at approximately 10:48 this morning the Westport Fire Department responded to a multi-vehicle accident with injuries on Interstate 95 in the vicinity of Exit 17. The initial reports indicated a car versus tractor trailer with patient entrapment.  Engine 4 from the Saugatuck Station along with Rescue 3 and the Shift Commander from Westport Fire Headquarters responded.  Also responding  on automatic mutual aid was a Rescue, Engine and Shift Commander for the Norwalk Fire Department. Upon arrival firefighters encountered an Acura sedan with it’s driver entrapped in the front seat area of the vehicle suffering life threatening injuries.  Firefighters used hydraulic extrication tools to remove the driver’s door and free the patient. Westport EMS treated the patient on the scene and transported the male to Norwalk Hospital. Interstate 95 northbound remained closed for approximately 3 hours as Connecticut State Police conducted an investigation. In total 3 cars and a tractor trailer were involved in the accident, the last Westport Fire Department vehicle cleared the scene at 1:54 PM.

FIRE IN FLOOR QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED

March 16 2010.... at approximately 8pm the fire department responded to a report of smoke in the building at a residence on Guyer Road. At the same time the fire department was dealing with another reported structure fire on the other side of town and a wires down call in Saugatuck. Engine 4 responded to Guyer Road along with Chief of department Chris Ackley and Deputy Chief John Gottfried who were at Fire Headquarters dealing with storm related issues at the time. Chief Ackley arrived first and reported heavy smoke on the first floor. Engine 4 arrived shortly after and entered the house with a hose line and extinguishers. Heavy smoke was found to be pushing from an area around the fireplace and firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to determine that a fire was burning behind the wall. Firefighters started removing flooring around the affected area while ladder company personnel started opening an area beneath the fireplace and ventilating the home. As more firefighters arrived it was determined that the fire had been extinguished but an enormous amount of overhaul was necessary to ensure no re-kindle occurred. Firefighters stayed on scene for over two hours.

TREE CRUSHES FIRE DEPARTMENT LADDER TRUCK

March 13 2010.... during the Nor'easter that devastated parts of Fairfield County including the Town of Westport, firefighters responded to hundreds of calls for emergency assistance. During a particularly tragic call the fire department ladder truck was crushed by a falling tree during the concluding moments of the incident. The truck sustained an enormous amount of damage but fortunately nobody was injured during the accident.

TREE FALLS ON CAR FATALLY INJURING DRIVER

March 13 2010.... A large pine tree fell across the Park Lane roadway coming in contact with a late model Nissan Murano SUV. There were four occupants in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Three of the four victims were able to remove themselves from the vehicle prior to the arrival of the emergency services; however the driver was trapped in the car and required extrication by responding firefighters. The driver succumbed to their injuries at the scene.  Westport Police, Westport EMS, and Public Works personnel, worked together to effect this rescue and attend to the three other victims of accident. The tree caused extensive damage to the roof of the vehicle and firefighters had to utilize chain saws to remove large sections of the tree before being able to use the "jaws of life" to gain access to the passenger compartment of the vehicle and reach the victim. At the time this rescue was going on winds were in excess of 65 miles per hour with driving rain.   

CLOTHES DRYER FIRE FORCES EVACUATION

March 10 2010.... at approximately 0635 the Westport Fire Department received an automatic fire alarm for 25 Bayberry Lane. When the alarm alerted the home owner she immediately smelled smoke and advised the alarm company when they called the home. The Westport Fire Department was advised of the smoke condition and immediately sent 3 engines, the ladder company, and the Shift Commander. The first units to arrive found the occupants all in the front yard and accounted for as the smoke condition worsened. Firefighters entered the home using self-contained breathing apparatus and found the dryer in the basement on fire. The fire was extinguished and the dryer removed from the home by a basement door. Fire Department personnel remained on scene until 0745 to ventilate smoke from the structure. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s office. The fire was confined to the dryer to the credit of a working fire alarm system and the metal dryer vent hose. The combination of a working smoke detector and the monitored fire alarm system also gave the home owner and her children the time to get out of the house before the smoke made the house untenable.

POSTAL TRUCK CRUSHED BY FALLING TREE

March 1 2010.... at approximately 1235 the Westport Fire Department responded along with Westport Police and EMS to a reported tree onto a vehicle with wires down and arcing. Upon arrival, units found a postal delivery vehicle had been struck by a falling tree that also knocked down power lines that were arcing in the street.  The postal vehicle sustained tremendous damage to the front end and passenger cabin. The driver miraculously was able to self extricate himself from the vehicle and walk to the Westport EMS ambulance where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and transported to Norwalk Hospital for treatment. Investigators from the US Postal Service and the local Postmaster responded to the scene. CL&P was requested to the scene on a priority to de-energize wires on the ground and around the vehicle that forced responders to delay entering the scene to secure the vehicle.  Several surrounding houses were checked for reported problems with partial or no power causing alarm system activations. Cross Highway was closed to traffic from Sturgis Highway to Bayberry Lane. Upon receiving the “all clear” from CL&P crews were able to assess the vehicle and found the engine still running and the vehicle in gear.  The vehicle was shut down and stabilized.  Town Highway was called in to remove the tree from the vehicle and the Postal Service had the vehicle towed and the secured the mail from the vehicle. CL&P remained on the scene to repair the telephone poles and wires and will restore power at some time this evening. Cross Highway will remain closed in the area until CL&P completes the repairs. The last Fire Department unit left the scene at 3:40 PM.

MULTI-VEHICLE MVA ON I95

Feb 27 2010.... at 0023 this morning the Westport Fire Department responded to a multi-vehicle accident on I95 on the Saugatuck River bridge. The shift commander, one engine and the rescue responded to the scene. On arrival it was determined that six vehicles were involved spread out over one hundred yards. CT State Police also requested the assistance of Westport Police at the scene. Westport Police sent three cars to assist. Two ambulances from Westport EMS also responded. Four occupants of the vehicles were transported to Norwalk Hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. CT State DOT sand trucks were requested to the scene to cover the icy roadway. The center and passing travel lanes were closed for just over an hour. The last fire department vehicle cleared the scene at 0137.

STRUCTURE FIRE - NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB

Feb 21 2010.... at 06:05 this morning the Westport Fire Department received a call for an automatic fire alarm sounding at the New York Sports Club at 427 Post Road East. While en route a call came in from an off duty firefighter working out at the club, that there was smoke in the building and a possible fire in the men’s locker room. Lt. Mike Kronick assisted the manager in evacuating the building and directing firefighters to the source of the smoke. A moderate smoke condition filled the workout area and upon entering the locker room, it was discovered that there was a sprinkler head activation in the sauna and visible fire. Crews brought two 2.5” attack lines into the building to attack the fire and laid 5” supply lines to hydrants in the front of the building across the Post Road and to the rear of the building on East Main Street for additional water. This required shutting down the Post Road in front of the building for approximately 1 hr. Westport Police provided traffic control and detoured traffic around the scene. The fire was extinguished and overhaul performed removing the majority of the wood interior of the sauna and checking adjoining walls for fire extension. The fire was contained to the sauna unit, which was removed by firefighters.  Moderate water damage was controlled in the locker room area and in the basement. Fire damage was contained to the sauna, with moderate smoke damage thought the club. Adjoining occupancies had light smoke conditions that were ventilated. The health department was summoned to the scene for the club and an adjoining restaurant with smoke condition per protocols. The Westport Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting the investigation and at this time has deemed this to be an accidental fire with a cause that is electrical in origin. Westport EMS provided a standby ambulance at the scene. Smoke alarms and fire sprinkler system provided early warning and held the fire to the sauna reducing damage and will provide for a quick reopening of the club. A total of 26 firefighters responded to the scene and the last fire department unit cleared the scene at 9:15 AM.

MVA I95 NB EXIT 17 - 18

Feb 16 2010.... at approximately 7:00 AM the Westport Fire Department responded with State Police and Westport EMS to Interstate 95 northbound between exits 17 and 18 near the Hales Rd. overpass for a two car motor vehicle accident with injuries.  Upon arrival firefighters found a car into the median with a driver complaining of neck and back injuries. The driver of the other vehicle that ended up in the right side travel lane was reporting no injuries. Firefighters assessed the injuries of the driver in the first vehicle, assisted Westport EMS removing the driver, and placing them on a back board and stretcher for transport to Norwalk Hospital. Vehicle travel was limited to a single lane northbound for approximately 25 minutes until both vehicles were removed.

WESTPORT ASSISTS FAIRFIELD WITH STRUCTURE FIRE

Feb 13 2010.... at approximately 1:45 this afternoon Westport firefighters responded to assist members of the Fairfield Fire Department with a structure fire on Sasco River Lane. Initially dispatched to cover Fairfield Fire Headquarters on Reef Road, Westport units were quickly sent to the scene to assist with extinguishment. Westport units returned to their quarters just before 4pm.

MVA I95 NB EXIT 17-18

Feb 13 2010.... at approximately 2am on Saturday morning Westport Fire Department along with State PD and Westport EMS responded to a motor vehicle accident on I95 northbound between exits 17 and 18. First arriving units found a single vehicle in the right travel lane with significant damage. The single occupant of the vehicle was treated by firefighters from the first due engine company while the rescue company dealt with fluid spills, lighting and vehicle safety. The patient was transferred to Westport EMS for transport to Norwalk hospital. Fire department units remained on scene until just after 3am.

WESTPORT FIRE LIEUTENANTS RESPOND TO POWER PLANT EXPLOSION

Feb 7 2010.... at approximately 1300 on Sunday afternoon, Connecticut's Urban Search and Rescue Team (CT-TF1 US&R) was activated to respond to a massive explosion and building collapse at the Kleen Energy plant in Middletown to assist local agencies with search, rescue and the collapse of the building. As part of that response Fire Lt. Brett Kirby and Fire Lt. Richard Stone responded with CT-TF1 US&R to assist with search and rescue of trapped workers. Initially it was believed that up to 100 workers may be trapped amidst the rubble. A massive coordinated response from statewide fire, rescue, law enforcement and EMS agencies along with numerous federal agencies converged on the scene. Search dogs were also used alongside collapse teams to scour the rubble. The blast killed 5 workers and seriously injured 27 others. The incident is currently under investigation.

STRUCTURE FIRE WITH EXTENSION

Feb 8 2010.... at approximately 0603 this morning the Westport Fire Department responded to a report of a fire on the outside of a structure in close proximity to a house. First arriving units discovered fire on the outside corner of the house. The occupant was attempting to extinguish and control the spread of the fire with pails of water. A plastic storage shed and all of it's contents were completely destroyed. Wood trim and shingles on the main house were also damaged by fire. CL&P was asked to respond to replace a melted electrical meter attached to the house. There was also damage to the able and telephone wires on the outside of the house. The last fire department unit cleared the scene at 0708.

BICYCLIST STRUCK BY CAR

Feb 4 2010.... a male bicyclist, described by witnesses as “an older man,” was apparently severely injured shortly before noon today when he collided with a car on Westport’s Compo Road North at East Main Street. The impact caused the bicycle to split in two, its wheels coming to rest in front of the car, which had heavy damage to the windshield. The female driver, while shaken up, did not appear to be seriously injured, according to witnesses. The bicyclist was taken to Norwalk Hospital by Westport EMS. 

STRUCTURE FIRE ON FRESENIUS ROAD 

January 8 2010.... at 12:20 this afternoon the Westport Fire Department responded to the report of “smoke in the basement” at 11 Fresenius Road.  3 Engines, a ladder truck, the Shift Commander and the departments Safety Officer responded. First arriving personnel found a light smoke condition in a basement office, with the odor of wood burning.  Fire department personnel used their thermal imaging cameras to scan the interior of an exterior wall and located a “hot spot” just above a light switch.  The area in question was opened up using tools and exposed a smoldering fire behind the sheetrock wall.  Firefighters removed all of the sheetrock from the interior wall, including the insulation, to check for fire extension.  Electricity in the basement office area was turned off at the main electric panel and a gas appliance located within the interior wall was also turned off. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office.  The house was determined to be safe for the family to reoccupy immediately. The last fire department unit cleared the scene at 1:40 PM.

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