Here is the press release on the fire we were first to report to you the other day:
At 1:51pm this afternoon the Westport Fire Department received the report of an automatic fire alarm from a residence on Roseville Road. The Westport Fire Department dispatched 1 Engine Company and a Shift Commander to respond to investigate. Upon arrival of the initial fire department units smoke was visible from the house with the occupant outside of the building reporting a fire inside the residence. The incident was upgrade to a building fire with 3 Westport Engines, 1 Fairfield Engine, 1 Ladder Truck and 2 additional Chiefs. With all occupants out of the house the first arriving firefighters were able to focus their efforts on extinguish using the fire. The fire was quickly extinguished with fire damage limited to a laundry room and smoke damage thought the residence. A total of 25 Firefighters and Officers responded to the fire. The one occupant was transport by Westport EMS to Norwalk Hospital for evaluation.
This fire is a testament to the fact that smoke detectors save lives and in this case, alerted the occupant and kept fire damage minimized. Without the early detection of the fire, the outcome of this incident may have been much worse. Residents are reminded to check and test their Smoke and Carbon monoxide detectors monthly. Statistics from a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report on “Smoke Alarms in U.S. Homes” (March 2014) reported that three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. No smoke alarms were present in more than one third (37%) of home fire deaths. In one–quarter (23%), smoke alarms were present but did not operate.
Of the main reasons why smoke alarms failed to operate, 47% had missing or disconnected batteries and 24% had dead or discharged batteries. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detector should be checked monthly and batteries should be changed bi-annually and detectors replaced every 10 years. The most tragic loss of life is the one that could have easily been prevented with the installation of a new battery.