Electrical Fire Contained To The Fish Tank At Westchester Home

MILLWOOD, NY — Before the sun came up on Tuesday, firefighters were on the scene and a crisis was averted, thanks to the quick actions of a homeowner and fish enthusiast.

The Millwood Fire Department was dispatched with an engine from the Chappaqua Fire Department and the Mount Kisco Volunteer Fire Department FASTeam to a reported fish tank fire at a home.

Chief Santone was first to arrive on the scene. He found that a fire under the fish tank, caused by an overheated power strip, had already been extinguished by the homeowner. Fire crews helped with much needed ventilation and made certain the fire did not spread beyond the fish tank's cabinet. Millwood FD members returned to service within an hour, according to the department.

"This is another case of smoke alarms saving lives," fire officials said in a statement posted to social media. "The homeowner was alerted to the fire by their fire alarm early in the morning, smelled odor of smoke, determined the source of the smoke, and extinguished the fire quickly. Without functioning fire alarms, this fire may have grown larger and more dangerous before being detected."