Snowblower Fire Damages Car In North Haven: Officials

NORTH HAVEN, CT — A snowblower caught fire and damaged a car during a garage fire at a home in North Haven late Sunday night, according to officials.

Officials said the cause of the fire was accidental and related to a resident refueling the snowblower after use.

The incident was just one of several medical and fire emergencies the North Haven Fire Department responded to over the past 48 hours, according to officials.

“Emergency calls included a person in cardiac arrest following shoveling snow; an expectant mother trying to get to the hospital having contractions in a car on the side of the road; and two separate fires,” officials wrote in a post on the North Haven Fire Department’s Facebook page. “Due to the hazardous weather, the Fire Department increased on duty staffing by adding [a] staffed engine (Engine 3) during the height of the storm along with North East volunteers on standby in station with Engine 7. This directly impacted the quick response times and provided on scene personnel to help fight the fire without delay.”

Crews responded around 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25 to a report of a house fire on Spring Road.

Arriving crews initially didn’t see smoke or fire coming from the 2 1/2 story wood residential building, according to officials.

Officials said the resident met the fire crew outside and reported that he had a fire in the garage.

“When the overhead door was opened, smoke and flames were visible inside the garage involving a snow blower and vehicle,” officials wrote in the post. “Engine 2 declared a working fire, established command and added the on call chief officer (Car 3) and fire investigator to the assignment.

“Engine 2 advanced a hose line for fire attack. Engine 3 provided water supply support to Engine 2 off of tank water as Engine 1 attempted to dig out the fire hydrant across the street that was buried in the snow to establish a Water Supply. Rescue 1 searched the building and Tower 1 supported ventilation of smoke and heat from inside.”

A family of five was able to safely evacuate the home, according to officials.

“The fire was quickly knocked down,” officials wrote. “Volunteers responding from home staffed West Ridge Engine 6 within 16 minutes of dispatch and they were directed to proceeded to the scene with caution to assist with overhaul and breakdown.”

The cause of the fire was accidental and related to refueling the snowblower after use, according to officials.

“The North Haven Fire Department reminds all residents to use caution after using gas powered equipment and allow it to cooldown completely before adding fuel,” officials wrote. “Only add fuel in a well-ventilated area and use caution to prevent spillage. Additionally, the department stresses the importance of closing doors to reduce fire spread inside the home. The self-closing and fire rated door separating the garage from the house prevented this fire from extending inside the home before firefighters could arrive.”

The second fire was reported around 3:05 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26 on Universal Drive.

Two people saw a fire on the SIMS property and called for assistance, according to officials.

“Engine 2 and Engine 6 were dispatched to investigate,” officials wrote. “Engine 2 arrived within 6 minutes and observed a fire on the property that was not accessible due to large snow drifts. Based on the location of the fire, SIMS property personnel called in heavy equipment operators to access and break apart the piles for fire extinguishment. No buildings were at risk of fire and the scene was turned over to SIMS. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

“NoHFD wants to recognize the contributions of our partners working during this storm to ensure public safety including: North Haven Public Works, Police, 911 Center, Emergency Management team, and our YAccess Transport ambulance crews.”