Christmas Night Fire Destroys Home, Injures 2 In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Two people were hospitalized and several residents were displaced after a Christmas night fire that destroyed a home in the Southport section of Fairfield, according to fire officials. At about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning (Dec. 26), emergency crews responded to a house fire at 459 Morehouse Lane in Southport. The caller reported that there was a fire in the house and that all of the occupants had escaped, according to Assistant Fire Chief Erik Kalapir.

Kalapir said that during the families’ escape, one occupant jumped from a second-floor window and sustained minor injuries. The first three firefighters arrived on scene under the command of LT Philip Higgins within 10 minutes of notification, according to Kalapir.

Arriving crews found heavy fire involvement of the residence and all available on-duty personnel and equipment were called to the scene under the direction of Assistant Chief Schuyler Sherwood. The Westport Fire Department was called to scene to assist in establishing a water supply down the long and narrow roadway, according to Kalapir. The Bridgeport Fire Department provided station coverage during the incident.

Seven people were asleep in the residence at the time of the fire. Two residents were taken to a local hospital with injuries by American Medical Response, according to Kalapir.

Firefighting crews were still on the scene as of 9:30 a.m. and the Fire Prevention Division will be conducting the investigation, Kalapir said. The Red Cross and the Milford Fire Department Canteen also responded to provide assistance to both the family and responders during the night’s frigid temperatures.

“We would like all our residents to test their smoke alarms and please be attentive to open flames, candle usage and fire places during this holiday season,” Fairfield Fire Chief Denis McCarthy said.

Photos courtesy of the Fairfield Fire Department