Waterford — A house fire that firefighters say likely began due to improperly discarded ashes from a fireplace caused extensive smoke damage Tuesday afternoon to both floors of the house at 71 Old Norwich Road.

The house was unoccupied at the time.

The fire began next to the fireplace, according to Quaker Hill Fire Company Chief Matthew Carson, who said it spread to firewood that was stored nearby. There was minimal fire damage to the downstairs, concentrated near the home's first-floor fireplace. No one was injured.

However, heavy smoke was coming out of the windows and eaves of the building. An off-duty New London firefighter spotted the smoking house and called it in at around 3:50 p.m.

Firefighters cut a hole in the roof to release smoke and heat as a precautionary measure, Carson said, and conducted searches of both floors.

"(It wasn't) as bad as it sounded on the first initial call," he said.

All five of Waterford's fire departments responded, as well as the FAST team from the Mohegan Tribal Fire Department. Old Norwich Road between Dunbar Road and Fitzgerald Avenue was closed to traffic for a time.

In a news release, the American Red Cross said it helped a family of five — four adults, one child — meet its "immediate needs" and provided personal care kits following the fire.

According to town assessor's records, the 2 1/2 story, 2,120-square-foot house was built in 1944. It has an appraised value of $194,680. The property record lists Patrick and Kathy Rowe as the owners.

n.lynch@theday.com

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