Westport Officials Extinguish Canal Street Apartment Fire

Wesport officials battled an apartment fire on Canal Street early Saturday morning that sent one individual to the hospital, according to a statement released by Assistant Chief John Plofkin, Jr.

At 2:03 am, dispatch received an automatic fire alarm for 5 Canal Street, Apartment 8G. While fire department units were responding, fire dispatch received a call from apartment 8G with the occupant reporting a fire on top of the stove. The call was immediately upgraded to a structure fire assignment by the responding shift commander, bringing two additional engines from Westport and a rapid intervention team from Wilton Fire Department.

A mutual aid engine from the Fairfield Fire Department was sent to Westport fire headquarters for standby in case of additional calls.

Upon preparing to force entry into the occupancy, firefighters were met by the lone occupant, who opened the door and found heavy smoke emitting from the apartment. The occupant was assisted out of the unit with the help of Westport Police. Firefighters began attacking the fire, while the truck company members conducted a search of the rest of the apartment for additional occupants.

The fire was contained to the kitchen area and smoke damage affected the adjacent apartment across the hallway. The occupant was transported to Norwalk Hospital for evaluation of smoke inhalation.

A total of 22 firefighters responded to the alarm, which was placed under control at 2:37 am. with the last fire unit clearing the scene at 3:47 am. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshals office.