Snow and ice created a challenge to battling a blaze in Westport on Wednesday night and the fire department is urging residents to clear fire hydrants.
The Westport Fire Department was responding to 12 Weathervane Hill at 7:33 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving an automatic fire alarm from the home when a 911 call came in from within the residence, reporting fire, so the residents were told to evacuate and wait in the front yard for firefighters.
Fire was burning on the first floor when firefighters arrived, but snow and ice prevented firefighters from getting close, so they had to stretch 850 feet of hose from the closest fire hydrant to attack the fire.
Once the hose was in place, crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire.
Officials said 42 firefighters and officers responded to the fire and the scene was cleared as of 10:36 p.m. The Westport fire marshal’s office is now investigating.
All the residents got out of the house on their own and went to a neighbor’s home.
The Westport Fire Department is urging residents to clear fire hydrants of snow so they can get to them in case of emergency.
