Icy Gas Meter Prompts House Fire in Westport

An ice-covered gas meter prompted the boiler to catch fire at a home on Lees Lane in Westport on Thursday morning, according to the fire department.

Firefighters said the homeowner used a fire extinguisher to put out flames on the outside of his boiler around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

He told the fire department the boiler hadn't been working properly and the burner on his gas stove wasn't igniting fully.

Firefighters turned off the gas meter and noticed the pressure regulator was covered in ice that had formed due to a dripping gutter overhead, according to the fire department.

They ventilated the home to remove any gas or smoke that had escaped into the air and called a fire inspector and gas company worker to the property.

The fire department is reminding homeowners to service their heating equipment every year and call professionals if they suspect a problem with any of their equipment.

Keep gas regulators and outside equipment free of snow and ice, and make sure all carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

Contact Us