Berlin FD Battles Two Blazes Over Several Hours

BERLIN, CT — Local firefighters have had a very active 24 hours with two major fires in town, one affecting a Berlin residence and another a Berlin shopping area.

According to the Berlin Volunteer Fire Department, a structure fire reported at 1394 Farmington Ave., Berlin, started as a chimney fire, but it spread to the area near the flu of a wood stove, causing smoke damage throughout the structure.

The single-story home's occupants noticed smoke in the house and called 911, according to firefighters.

"After attempting to utilize an extinguisher on the fire with some success, the residents evacuated with their pets," wrote the BVFD in a statement.

According to firefighters, units found a "moderate smoke condition" in the attic of the home and a smoldering fire embedded around the wood stove's flu.

"Fire personnel were able to quickly contain the burning materials to the affected area," wrote the BVFD. "Overhaul of the fire was time-consuming due to the confined area that the fire occurred in and an abundant use of salvage techniques to minimize damage."

Those techniques proved successful, the BVFD said, as the home's occupants were not displaced and were able to return.

No injuries were reported in that blaze and the cause is still under investigation.

A few hours after leaving that blaze, the BVFD had to deal with another fire at a local shopping area early Tuesday morning, according to WTNH Channel 8.

That fire was near the Express Coin Laundromat, which is located in the Webster Square strip mall on Webster Drive, according to Channel 8.

No further information was available on the second fire, though WTNH claimed no injuries had been reported.

For the full WTNH Channel 8 report, click on this link.