At 11:24 am this morning the Westport Fire department was notified by a passerby that the front porch of a Franklin Street residence was on fire. Fortunately, an occupant was alerted who began applying water and saved the multi-family  residence from being taken.

Fire department personnel continued applying water to the burning porch and performed salvage and overhaul while the Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the cause. There were no reported injuries and the cause of the fire was determined to be discarded smoking materials. Please use the proper receptacles for discarded smoking materials and open burning of any kind is not allowed in the Town of Westport without a permit.

Residents are reminded that we are in a “RED FLAG” warning for brush and forest fires due to the lack of rain and low humidity, no open burning is permitted. These conditions coupled with a 10mph – 20 mph breeze create an environment for fast spreading fires which can get out of control quickly and cause a conflagration. The Westport Fire Department asks residents to immediately call 911 if they see any kind of fire or smoke, sothat an immediate response can be initiated to keep the incident small and under control.