(Stamford, CT) – At approximately 15 minutes past midnight on Wednesday morning September 3, 2014, Central Fire Dispatch for the City of Stamford began receiving multiple telephone calls from neighbors next to #25 Bittersweet Ln reporting a huge fire.  Neighbors at #15 Bittersweet Ln reported that the home next door was fully engulfed in flame and that sparks from the fire were landing on their house and threatening to ignite it.

Dispatchers alerted fire units from the City of Stamford, Turn of River Volunteer Fire Dept., Long Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept., and the Belltown Volunteer Fire Depts. Reported numerous calls for a fully involved structure fire.  Additionally, automatic mutual aid for a tanker task force response was initiated summoning the New Canaan, and Pound Ridge Fire Departments that respond with tanker engines for added water supply due to the fire location being in what is termed a non-hydranted, or negative water source area.

Initial arriving fire units were on scene within 6 minutes of being notified and were faced with a fully involved 2 ½ story wood frame dwelling with a partial roof collapse.  Incident command upon arrival requested a second alarm which brought in an additional engine company and ladder company from the Stamford Fire Department with 8 additional men.  Fire units began attacking blaze with water carried on board apparatus and from a continuous flow of water developed by the tanker task force provided by neighboring departments.

Fire is being investigated by the City of Stamford Fire Marshal’s Office with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Division of Public Safety.  At the height of the fire a total of over 60 fire firefighters from 6 surrounding fire departments and other agencies assisted in the effort.  Fire was brought under control at approximately 3:15 am.  Units remained on the scene into the rush our this morning requiring re-routing of school buses for area children.