2 Overnight Thanksgiving Fires Doused By Stamford Firefighters

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford firefighters extinguished a pair of structure fires Thanksgiving night, according to fire officials. No injuries were reported.

The first blaze was reported just before 10 p.m. at a large, multi-business commercial building on Union Street in the Glenbrook section of the city, the cause of which remains under investigation.

"Upon arrival, Engine 6 from the Glenbrook fire house found the building sprinkler system activated and a strong odor of smoke from the exterior," wrote Stamford Deputy Fire Chief Eric Lorenz in a statement. "Fire fighters discovered a heavy smoke condition inside the building in a tenant space utilized as a wood-working shop. Fire fighters stretched hose lines, and deployed search ropes to overcome maze like conditions. The source of the smoke was determined to be from a fire involving a dust collection unit in the shop. The fire was held in check by one activated sprinkler head. Fire fighters extinguished the remaining fire and ventilated the building using mechanical fans."

The second blaze, a reported basement fire the cause of which also is under investigation, occurred at about 12:30 a.m. today at a home on Ocean Drive in Shippan.

Upon arrival, firefighters discovered it was a chimney fire that had extended into an exterior wall of the home, according to Lorenz.

"Fire fighters stretched a hose line and used power saws to cut away the exterior house siding to expose the extending fire," he said. "Fire fighters also breached areas of the masonry chimney from the basement level to ensure complete extinguishment."

The Stamford Fire Department and the National Fire Protection Association "recommend that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary."