Fire damages airport rescue fire truck

Groton — An emergency aircraft rescue fire truck at the Groton-New London Airport was damaged in an early morning fire.

Poquonnock Bridge Fire Captain Brian Kiely said the first-arriving airport fire captain reported the blaze when he arrived for his early morning shift. The fire was called in at about 6:20 a.m.

Kiely said the fire captain reported that smoke was coming from the roof and that all the windows were darkened with smoke.

"He knew he had a fire," said Kiely.

Kiely said it appears that the fire started in an engine compartment in the truck. He also said the firehouse sustained heat and smoke damage.

Poquonnock Bridge Fire Chief Todd Paige had command of the scene. Groton City, Mystic, the submarine base and Old Mystic fire departments also responded.

John Wallace, spokesman for the Connecticut Airport Authority, said the firehouse is not manned 24 hours a day since the airport mostly operates private flights.

He said there are between two to three firefighters on duty between the operating hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. He said the firefighters are always on call.

He said the fire would not have an effect on airport operations. He said there is a backup truck on site.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Wallace said. He said it was too soon to give a cost estimate on the fire damage.