West Hartford Basement Fire Prompts WHFD Call For Heating Season Safety

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Local fire officials say an early morning fire in West Hartford Sunday should serve as a reminder to folks regarding the safety of heating devices.

At approximately 12:49 a.m. Sunday, the West Hartford Fire Department was dispatched to 252 Penn Drive for a reported smoke alarm activation accompanied by the odor of something burning.

Firefighters arrived on scene within minutes and were met by the occupants of the single-family residence, the WHFD wrote in a release Sunday morning.

The occupants reported smoke inside the home, the WHFD said.

"Upon investigation, Ladder 4 discovered smoke coming from the basement. A small fire was located adjacent to the boiler and was quickly extinguished," wrote the WHFD.

Squad 1 and Medic 21 assisted with primary search operations and ventilation.

The West Hartford Police Department was also on scene to provide traffic control.

After the fire was extinguished and a thorough search confirmed no further hazards, the incident was brought under control, wrote firefighters.

The West Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office responded to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.

No injuries were reported among civilians or fire personnel, fire officials said.

Following ventilation and air quality monitoring, the home was deemed safe for re-occupancy.

The WHFD said with cooler temperatures arriving and heaters/furnaces being used, there are some safety tips people should remember.

"As the heating season approaches, the West Hartford Fire Department reminds residents of the importance of fire safety around heating appliances," wrote the WHFD.

"Please maintain a minimum 3-foot clearance around all heating equipment, and ensure that working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed on every level of the home."