Small Basement Fire Under Investigation

The Westport Fire Department responded to the report of "smoke in the basement" at 11 Fresenius Road at 12:20 p.m. today.

When firefighters arrived, they found light smoke in a basement office and smelled wood burning, according to a news release sent today. The fire department used thermal imaging cameras to scan the interior of an exterior wall and located a "hot spot" just above a light switch.  Firefighters opened up the wall and found a smoldering fire behind the Sheetrock wall. They removed all of the Sheetrock from the interior wall, including the insulation.  Electricity in the basement office area was turned off at the main electric panel and a gas appliance located within the interior wall was also turned off. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal's Office.  The house was determined to be safe for the family to reoccupy immediately. The last fire department unit cleared the scene at 1:40 p.m.

Three engines, a ladder truck, the shift commander and the department's safety officer responded to this incident.