Storm Brings Multiple Fires, Emergency Calls To Newtown

NEWTOWN, CT — Newtown firefighters responded to multiple fires and other emergency calls as a storm brought severe lightning and heavy rain to the area Friday, according to Botsford Fire Rescue.

The string of calls included two working structure fires in Newtown, a propane fire near a home and a mutual aid response to a structure fire in Monroe.

Firefighters were already handling a fire alarm on Pecks Lane when Newtown companies were dispatched around 7:48 p.m. to a reported basement fire at a home on Kelly Court, according to Botsford Fire Rescue.

Botsford crews responded with an engine and two tankers and encountered a gas-fed fire inside a wall. Firefighters initially attacked the flames with a water extinguisher before using a hose line, according to the department.

The fire was contained to the area where it originated, and the homeowners were able to return to the house.

While crews were still operating there, Botsford was requested to provide mutual aid to Monroe for another working fire. An engine and firefighters responded to May Court, where Monroe crews quickly knocked down the fire, according to the department.

Newtown firefighters were also dispatched around 8:04 p.m. to Capitol Drive for reports of propane tanks on fire next to a house. The fire was out by the time firefighters arrived.

Later that night, around 10:50 p.m., crews were called to another confirmed structure fire on Forrest Drive in the Sandy Hook section of town.

Firefighters found a detached outbuilding down a hillside several hundred feet away. The building had already partially collapsed when crews arrived, according to Botsford Fire Rescue.

Crews extinguished the blaze to prevent it from spreading into the surrounding woods. The outbuilding was a total loss, officials said.

The department did not report any injuries in its account of the incidents.