A house in Southport was severely damaged when a blaze broke out Saturday afternoon, Feb. 13.

The Fairfield Emergency Communications Center received an automatic alarm at 1:27 Saturday afternoon, followed by multiple phone calls from witnesses reporting a structure fire at 60 Sasco River Lane, off of Hulls Highway on the west side of town.

Engines 1, 4, and 5, along with Ladders 2, Rescue 1, and Car 3 were dispatched to the scene on the initial assignment, with Engines 2, 3, and 6, Ladder 1, Squad 14, Cars 1, 2, 4, and 9, and Westport Engine 2 were called to the scene throughout the course of fire suppression, overhaul, and investigation.

Engine 4 was first on the scene and found a single story wood-framed residence with heavy smoke and visible flame apparent in the front windows and the two occupants outside; Assistant Chief Doug Chavenello arrived in Car 3 shortly thereafter and assumed command, reporting heavy fire throughout much of the structure.

Multiple fire hoses were stretched to attack the fire. Fire crews worked for over an hour before the fire was contained a recall of alarm was announced with "all hands working" by A/C Chavenello at 2:39 p.m.

Fire Chief Richard Felner and Deputy Chief Art Reid were on the scene, as was First Selectman Ken Flatto and Police Chief Dave Peck with the Police Command Unit brought to the scene to assist. Fire Marshal William Kessler arrived shortly after initial units and remained on scene until 6:35 p.m., when he was the last unit to clear the scene in Car 4. American Medical Response, Aquarion, United Illuminating, and Southern Connecticut Gas all had units on the scene to assist in checking the occupants for injury and shutting down utilities.

"This was another example of how an automatic alarm report can turn out to be a working fire," said Felner, "and we're just glad that the occupants got out safely."

The occupants had no medical complaints as a result of the fire, according to A/C Chavenello, but Kessler stated that the fire cause remains under investigation.