The Southport Fire Department was organized following a devastating fire in Southport.   As printed in the New York Times on September 30, 1895:

SOUTHPORT, Conn., Sept. 29. - Henshaw's livery stable in Southport was destroyed by fire to-day. Four horses, a large quantity of hay and grain, and a number of carriages were burned. The wire works of the C. L. Jellif Company near by and several small buildings were also destroyed. Loss, $10,000. It is believed the fire was incendiary in origin.