Trash Can Fire Damages Front Of Walgreens Store In Greenwich: FD

GREENWICH, CT — A discarded cigarette may have been the cause of a fire that damaged the front of a Walgreens store over the weekend, according to fire officials. Deputy Chief Thomas F. Zack said firefighters were called to the store, located on East Putnam Avenue, after a garbage can caught fire Saturday morning.

The can was located just outside the store's main entrance. According to Zack, a manager at the store immediately called 911 after using a fire extinguished on the trash can blaze.

Crews arrived and further extinguished the fire, which caused some damage to the front of the building. Firefighters also opened up the front wall to make sure the fire did not extend any further into the building. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Zack said the building suffered "little to no water damage," and there were no injuries reported by employees or customers.

"Our deputy fire marshal concluded discarded smoking material appeared to be the cause of the waste can fire," Zack said, noting the material was presumed to be a cigarette.

The store was able to reopen a short time after crews determined the atmosphere was clean and the building was safe, Zack said.

The building was referred to the on-duty fire marshal, and the health department was not needed, Zack said.