Sprinkler System Averts Early Morning Apartment Fire

Milford Fire Department units were dispatched to a reported apartment fire on Landsale Ave around 2:30am Tuesday morning. The dispatch center was receiving multiple 911 calls reporting smoke and a possible fire in the building. A 911 call was then received from one of the occupants reporting that they were trapped in their apartment by fire. While attempting to ascertain more information from the caller the connection was lost. Responding units were updated regarding the trapped individuals. Upon arrival, the first due engine companies found the occupants of the apartment hanging out the second floor window of the apartment. Units quickly mobilized to rescue the trapped people from the apartment. The apartment was filled with smoke and the sprinkler system in the apartment had been activated. The sprinklers were able to extinguish the fire prior to fire department arrival on scene. The occupants were safely brought out of the apartment while fire crews checked for any further extension. No injuries were reported but some of the businesses under the apartment did incur some water damage due to the sprinkler activation. The Fire Marshall’s office investigated the fire and it was determined to have been caused by an unattended candle that had ignited combustibles nearby.