Westport firefighters were dispatched to a commercial fire alarm at a multi-occupancy
strip mall on Post Road West. The initial dispatch was for Engine 4, Engine 2 Truck 1 and
the Shift Commander. Engine 6 was added to the assignment after clearing from another
emergency incident.

E4 arrived and reported an odor of burning and light smoke condition inside the
occupancy. Truck 1 laddered the roof and found smoke coming from a roof scuttle hatch.
Engine 4 and Engine 2 stretched a hose line and checked each of the businesses for smoke
and fire. Truck 1, assisted by Engine 6, located a smoldering fire involving roofing
materials in the area of the roof scuttle.

The fire was quickly extinguished and crews worked on providing salvage and overhaul to
the business directly below. The Westport Fire Marshal’s Office responded to investigate.
Roof repair work from earlier in the day was determined to be the cause.
The activation of the smoke detectors and monitored fire alarm system provided early
notification, allowing the occupants to evacuate and firefighters to quickly extinguish the
fire before it spread.