Suspected Electrical Fire Damages Garage

Firefighters responded to a report of a blaze at 26 Beechwood Drive in Sandy Hook shortly before 10 a.m., Saturday, July 2. Arriving at the scene, they found a fire contained to the garage of the two-story home.

“After we got on the scene it only took us about 10 minutes to put out the fire,” said Sandy Hook Fire Chief Bill Halstead. “We put a hose through the first floor into the basement so we didn’t blow the fire back up into the house.”

The exact cause of the fire is unknown at this point, however it is suspected to be an electrical problem, said Halstead, who also is the fire marshal. The fire did not spread past the garage, although the rest of the home did incur mild smoke damage, he said.

The renter of the house, Michael Silva, was home with his three children at the time the fire began. None of the residents of the home appeared to be injured, officials said.

All five Newtown fire companies responded to the call, including Sandy Hook Fire and Rescue, Newtown Hook and Ladder, Hawleyville Fire and Rescue, Botsford Fire Rescue, and Dodgingtown Fire Company. Southbury Fire Department also dispatched one engine and tanker to the scene.