BUSY MORNING IN NEW CANAAN CONTINUES WITH WORKING STRUCTURE FIRE

After beginning the day with 2 back to back calls around 7 am the duty crew was preparing to begin their morning truck checks when a civilian walked into the firehouse reporting a fire on the roof in the area behind Griffin Ford at the intersection of Locust and Forest St. At 0932 dispatch was notified and New Canaan Engine 1 Ladder 3 Engine 2 Rescue 5 and Unit 64 and a Wilton Engine were dispatched on the structure fire. Shortly after the initial dispatch Car 1 arrived and second alarmed the box for a confirmed working structure fire on the roof in the area of Gates Restaurant at 10 Forest Street. This area is directly behind the firehouse and is a mix of commercial storesrestaurants and residential apartments. Coming in on the second alarm was Norwalk Truck 1 for RIT and Noroton Heights Engine 21 for station and town coverage. The Crew from Ladder 3 found access to the fire through an alleyway off of Locust Street behind Joes Pizza and set up the stick for roof operations. At the same time Engine 1 secured its own water source from a hydrant at the intersection of Locust and Forest Street in front of the bank. Engine 1 then laid in to the ladders location and stretched a line to the roof. Upon arrival the Wilton Engine staged on Forest Street and joined New Canaan crews in searching the building for occupants fire extension and smoke conditions. After gaining access to the roof Engine 1 found a wooden deck and its contents fully involved directly above the roof of the building. The fire was knocked down quickly crews checked for extension and overhauled the area. No extension was found however multiple apartments and businesses where found to have a heavy presence of smoke. At this time CMEDour dispatch was starting to recieve multiple fire alarms from those locations. Crews set up PPV and ventilated all affected areas. While New Canaan worked at this fire mutual aid crews handled a Fire Alarm activation at the YMCA on South Avenue and assisted with other fire ground operations. Crews operated on scene for approximately 45 minutes before returning to service. Car 1 had the Forest street command.