Fairfield Fire Displaces Four, Firefighter Injured Rescuing Family Pet

FAIRFIELD, CT — A family of four was displaced from their home and a firefighter was injured while rescuing a family pet following a fire on Mountain Laurel Road on Sunday evening.

Emergency crews responded to a house fire at 145 Mountain Laurel Road at about 6 p.m. and found a three-car attached garage fully involved with fire with two cars in the driveway also burning.

The first arriving firefighters immediately initiated a search of the building without the protection of a hose line for people and pets and located a pet rabbit and subsequently removed it from the house, according to officials.

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Engine 2 arrived on scene and attacked the fire with a large caliper hose line to try and reduce the fires intensity. Due to the head start of the fire and building construction features, the fire rapidly spread from the garage to the attic of the 8,900-square foot attached home, officials said.

Fire crews coordinated and aggressively attacked the fire from both inside and outside of the structure until it was declared under control after approximately one hour. Additional fire crews were called to the scene from the Bridgeport Fire Department as well as the Southport Volunteer Fire Department for lighting and support.

“The family was very lucky that no one was injured during this fast moving fire which occurred while the house was occupied,” Assistant Chief Scott Bisson said in a statement. “With the change of season upon us, the department would like to remind all residents to review safe cooking, campfire and outdoor fire practices.”

Units from Bridgeport, Westport and Easton Fire Departments provided fire station coverage and responded to multiple alarms in Fairfield during the fire.

The Fairfield Fire Marshal was on scene investigating the cause of the fire. The Fire Chief, Deputy Chief and Safety Officer were called to the scene for support. Fairfield Police provided traffic control for fire crews due to hose lines in the roadway.

Two firefighters received minor injuries during the fire and were transported by ambulance to the hospital, according to officials.

One firefighter received minor burns while operating a hose line inside the building and was released to return to work. The other firefighter injured his leg while rescuing a family pet from the structure and required continuing medical treatment.

A fire watch was implemented due to smoldering materials at the scene. The last fire unit cleared the scene at midnight. The house was not habitable and the residents were relocated to a neighbor’s house pending repairs.

Photos courtesy of the Fairfield Fire Department