Fireplace Fire Spreads To Home’s Roof In Fairfield: Officials

FAIRFIELD, CT — Firefighters extinguished a fireplace fire that spread to the roof of a home Wednesday morning in Fairfield, according to officials.

Crews responded to the fire around 7 a.m. on Old Post Road across from Town Hall Green.

Arriving crews found the homeowner trying to extinguish a fire that was inside a wall void on the side of the house with a garden hose, according to officials.

The homeowner told firefighters that he had been burning a fire in the fireplace since yesterday. When he woke up Wednesday morning, he smelled smoke and assumed it was from the smoldering fire, officials said.

He added a few logs to stoke the fire and “increase the draft up the chimney flue,” according to officials. The cable TV died a short time later and the homeowner went outside to investigate and noticed that the side of his house behind the fireplace “was on fire and the cable wire had burned through, officials said.

“Lt. Greenhaw, the officer on Engine 1, directed his crew to advance an 1 3/4 hose line to the side of the building to extinguish the fire,” officials wrote in a news release. “He then ordered the rescue crew led by FF. Frank Zwierlien to check the inside the house for fire extension.

“C-3 arrived on scene and took Asst. Chief George Gomola took command. He directed the crew of Tower Ladder 2 led by FF. Brian Madia to bring forcible entry tools and power saws to the fire side of the building and assist E1 crew with opening up the wall to extinguish the fire.

“E2 crew led by Lt. Dennis Eannotti assisted Rescue 1 crew inside the dwelling. They used thermal imaging cameras to check for fire extension inside the walls and assisted and special meters to monitor the interior for carbon monoxide and other hazardous gases. A positive pressure ventilation fan was used to remove low levels of carbon monoxide from the basement.”

Officials said additional firefighters rolled up carpets and removed area rugs to minimize damage. They used “salvage covers to protect floors and furniture while they extinguished the fire in and around the fireplace,” according to officials.

“The quick notification by the homeowner who called 911 immediately combined with the efficient and effective actions of our firefighters prevented a major fire loss in our Town’s Historic District,” Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola said. “Our firefighters did a great job. They put the fire out as judiciously as possible all the while ensuring that the secondary damage caused during firefighter was kept to a bare minimum.”

The Fairfield Building Department responded to check the fireplace for damage and serviceability. The fireplace was condemned by the Building Department after the fire and will have to be repaired or replaced prior to use, according to officials.

The Fairfield Fire Marshal’s Office determined the cause of the fire to be “cracked and deteriorated fire bricks and mortar in the 100-plus year-old chimney which over time allowed the heat from the fire break down the molecules of the wooden beams until eventually they caught fire,” according to the news release.

“The Fairfield Fire Department and the Fairfield Fire Marshal recommend annual inspection of all fire place components include the firebox, the clean out, the chimney, and the flue by a trained professional,” the news release states. “Annual or bi-annual cleaning of the chimney (depending on use.) is also vital to insure a safe home fireplace experience. In addition, working smoke detectors that are tested monthly are a must have in every home.

“October is Fire Prevention Month. Residents who need help checking smoke detectors, replacing batteries, or installing new detectors should call the Fairfield Fire Marshal’s office to schedule assistance. If residents have a beeping smoke detector or smell smoke they should dial 911 immediately.”