FAIRFIELD, CT: At 9:47pm, Wednesday, March 10, Fairfield's Emergency Communications Center received a report of a fire on the roof-top deck of the Alto Fairfield Metro Complex on Kings Highway. Within four minutes, the first unit arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from the top of the roofline and the fire alarm system sounding. The residents were evacuating the building because of an alarm sounded by a quick acting resident.
As additional fire department units arrived on the scene, they found toxic smoke emanating from the sixth floor deck of the residential structure. Engine Two, under the command of Lieutenant Kevin Polcer, directed firefighting roof top operations. The fire was deep seated and hidden inside of a decorative fireplace. This contained fire needed to be exposed via power saws and labor-intensive manpower using hand tools. Only after opening up the building’s structure could hose lines be directed into the pockets of fire.
Firefighting companies deployed tarps to contain the water damage and the fire was quickly extinguished. Unfortunately, water damaged approximately nine residential units. Five of those units required their occupants to relocate for the night.
Denis McCarthy and Deputy Chief Kyran Dunn were on the scene to oversee fire operations and assist residents with information and relocation.
Fairfield’s Building Department and Fire Prevention Division will be conducting an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Assistant Chief Kalapir stated that there were no reported occupant or firefighter injuries and the estimated total value of the property saved was more than 20 million dollars.