Crime & Safety

Electrical Fire Closes New York Sports Club

Twenty-six firefighters responded to the scene at 6:05 a.m. today.

At 6:05 this morning the Westport Fire Department received a call for an automatic fire alarm at the New York Sports Club, located at 427 Post Road East. Two engines, a ladder truck and the shift commander's vehicle responded and while en route a call came in from an off duty firefighter working out at the club that there was smoke in the building and a possible fire in the men's locker room.

Lt. Mike Kronick assisted the manager in evacuating the building and directing firefighters to the source of the smoke. A moderate smoke condition filled the workout area and upon entering the locker room, it was discovered that there was a sprinkler head activation in the sauna and visible fire. Two additional engines and a rescue were requested to the scene for assistance.

Crews brought two 2.5" attack lines into the building to attack the fire and laid 5" supply lines to hydrants in the front of the building across the post road and to the rear of the building on East Main Street for additional water. This required shutting down the Post Road in front of the building for about one hour. Westport Police provided traffic control and detoured traffic around the scene.

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The fire was extinguished and overhaul performed removing the majority of the wood interior of the sauna and checking adjoining walls for fire extension. The fire was contained to the sauna unit, which was removed by firefighters.  Moderate water damage was controlled in the locker room area and in the basement.

Fire damage was contained to the sauna, with moderate smoke damage thought the club. Adjoining occupancies had light smoke conditions that were ventilated. The health department was summoned to the scene for the club and an adjoining restaurant with smoke condition per protocols. The club will remain closed until the sprinkler system is repaired and health department items are addressed.  

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The Westport Fire Marshal's Office is conducting the investigation and at this time has deemed this to be an accidental fire caused by an electrical problem. Westport EMS provided a standby ambulance but there were no injuries.

Smoke alarms and fire sprinkler system provided early warning and held the fire to the sauna reducing damage and will provide for a quick reopening of the club.  
 A total of 26 firefighters responded to the scene and the last fire department unit cleared the scene at 9:15 a.m.  

 


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