Firefighters Quickly Knock Down Chimney Fire

On January 8, 2010 at 1336 hrs. the Milford Fire Department Emergency Operations dispatched Engines 3, 4, 7, Tower 1, Rescue 2 and Car 4 to 23 Raycroft Street for a reported chimney fire. When crews arrived they found active fire inside and outside of the house that had extended from a wood burning stove in the basement.

The fire was quickly knocked down and crews spent quite some time overhauling the structure for hidden fire. There were no injuries were reported.

Captain Chris Zak, the department's spokesman, stressed the need for all homeowners to use safety this winter season. "As the cold weather increases and the problems that are occurring with the economy, we are concerned that more homeowners will resort to using alternative methods to heat their house this winter. These types of situations can produce drastic results if proper precautions are not adhered to."

Zak went on to add that, "All homes should have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms and these should be tested on a weekly basis. Batteries for these devices should be changed twice a year, remember – change your clock, change your battery."