On Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 12:52 PM, the Stratford 911 Communication Center began receiving phone calls of a possible tree on fire in the rear of a residence on Freeman Ave. Multiple 911 calls were then received of a possible house on fire.
Assistant Fire Department Chief, Michael Camperlengo, the on-duty shift Commander, was the first fire unit to arrive at the scene and observed a heavy volume of fire coming from the rear yard of the house involving 70% of the home. Several exposed propane tanks vented propane, spreading fire to fence, and starting small brush fires. The volume of fire required the use of all Stratford on duty crews to extinguish the fire which was brought under control in about 45 minutes. Mutual aid companies from Milford, Bridgeport,, Shelton, and Trumbull Fire were called to provide assistance on scene, as well as provide in Town coverage.
Simultaneous to this fire, a porch fire was reported in the 700 block of Honeyspot Road. Bridgeport Fire Department and Shelton Fire Department companies re-directed to this incident. While they were responding, the residents used a portable fire extinguisher to contain the fire to the porch, and staff from the Stratford Guns & Ammo assisted. Bridgeport units under the direction of Bridgeport Assistant Chief, Jeff Gdovin, and Stratford Deputy Chief, James Buck, fully extinguished the fire to prevent any further spread to the rest of the house. There were no injuries reported.
A family of four was displaced by the Freeman Avenue fire, and the American Red Cross was called to respond for assistance.
Both fires are under investigation by the Stratford Fire Marshal to determine the causes.
As a reminder to the community, the Stratford Fire department would like to remind you of the following:
Ensure you have working smoke detectors; Stratford residents are encouraged to call 203-385-4073 to schedule a free smoke detector survey.
Create a plan for exiting with all who live in your home.
Do not drive over a fire hose in the street; this is dangerous to our firefighters who are working in the area, and can damage the hose and your vehicle.