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Westport Firefighters Help Battle Blaze In Icy Conditions In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- The Fairfield Fire Department turned out in force to battle a fire in a house in Southport on a frigid, windy and icy Thursday evening. 

Fairfield Fire Department sets up to fight fire at 33 Chester Place.

Fairfield Fire Department sets up to fight fire at 33 Chester Place.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola and Lt, Dennis Eannotti at the 33 Chester Place fire.

Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola and Lt, Dennis Eannotti at the 33 Chester Place fire.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Fairfield Fire units taking up from 33 Chester Place fire.

Fairfield Fire units taking up from 33 Chester Place fire.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
The fire was reported on the roof at 33 Chester Place in Southport.

The fire was reported on the roof at 33 Chester Place in Southport.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department
Fairfield Fire Department Car 3 and Engine 4 arrive first at 33 Chester Place.

Fairfield Fire Department Car 3 and Engine 4 arrive first at 33 Chester Place.

Photo Credit: Fairfield Fire Department

"Freezing temperatures and wind chills encountered by crews battling the fire created extremely dangerous conditions, but thanks to their professionalism and diligence no serious injuries were sustained by fire personnel," said Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola. 

The Fairfield Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call at 5:27 p.m. from a Southport resident who was reporting fire coming out of a neighbor’s house at Chester Place and Pequot Avenue. 

Fairfield Fire Engines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Ladders 1 and 2, and Car 3 were immediately dispatched. As Engine 4 was arriving at 5:30 p.m., the homeowner at 33 Chester Place called to confirm that his roof was on fire and said all occupants were out of the residence.

“First in companies did an outstanding job in keeping the fire from extending into the residence,” said Gomola, who assumed command of the fire on the three-story home. “Early notification by the neighbor and homeowner coupled with an aggressive fire attack limited fire damage, though smoke and water extended into the rooms below the fire."

Engine 4 began setting up as Engine 1 and Ladder 1 established a water supply and put up ladders on the front of the building to attack the fire. Fire Chief Richard Felner and Assistant Fire Chief Chris Tracy arrived as Fairfield fire units set up for an aggressive knockdown on the blaze. 

Westport Car 3, Truck 1 and Westport Safety Officer Assistant Chief Rob Yost arrived and set up a rapid intervention team at the scene.

Bridgeport Ladder 11 and East Side Battalion Chief Robert Morton arrived to assist at the fire, with Bridgeport, Westport and Easton fire units called to cover Fairfield stations for additional emergencies.

Fairfield Engines 6 and 7 were called to the scene to rotate crews due to the challenges of freezing hoselines and ladders.

Fairfield Fire Marshal Bill Kessler along with Deputy Fire Marshal Ray Bullard and Inspector Hank Ference went to investigate the blaze, which was extinguished by 6:45 p.m.

Command was turned over to Kessler shortly before 9 p.m. Fairfield fire units remained on the scene to assist in the investigation.

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