Tenants Jump from Second Floor, 50 Pets Rescued during Overnight Fire in Westport’s Townhouse for Dogs and Cats
Westport Fire Department:
Westport Emergency Communications Center dispatched firefighters to a commercial fire alarm at a mixed occupancy building on Post Road East. The initial dispatch was Engine 2, Engine 5, Truck 1, and the Shift Commander. Westport Police officers arrived and reported visible fire coming from the building. Westport Emergency Communications Center dispatched Engine 4 and Engine 6 to the scene.
The fire department arrived and found heavy fire on the second floor of a mixed occupancy building. The building housed a dog and cat boarding facility on the first floor and basement as well as an apartment on the second floor. Fairfield and Norwalk Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene of the fire.
Firefighters attacked the fire with two hose lines to extinguish the fire. Searches of the building determined that the occupants on the 2nd floor had escaped the fire.
Westport Firefighters and Westport Police Officers rescued and removed approximately 50 dogs and cats from the dog and cat boarding facility.
The three occupants of the second-floor apartment were awakened by smoke detectors. The occupant’s exit was blocked by fire. The occupants had to jump from a second-floor window to escape the fire. The occupants were treated and assessed on scene by Westport EMS. The occupants did not require transport to the hospital.
The fire is under investigation by the Westport Fire Marshal’s Office. The Westport Fire Department would like to remind residents that working smoke detectors save lives. Please ensure that you have working smoke detectors in your house.
The Norwalk and Wilton Fire Departments provided station coverage during the incident.
Westport Fire Department contributed photos. Click to enlarge. Morning Weather Report
Today
Increasing clouds, with a high near 58. Light southeast wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning.
Tonight
Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 47. South wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
Tomorrow
Sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 5 to 7 mph.
Structure Fire Reported at 1040 Post Road East, “Townhouse for Dogs and Cats”
Video still from DoingItLocal.com
Firefighters were dispatched around 11:45 Wednesday night for the reported fire in the building located at 1040 Post Road East, with flames visible from the roadway.
The address comes back to “Town House for Dogs and Cats”, a pet boarding, grooming, and training location. It’s unknown which part of the structure has been affected as firefighters fight to put out the flames.
Post Road East has been closed during the midnight hours as the operations take place. No information has been released.