Crews stop Stonington basement fire in its tracks
Stonington — Members of the Old Mystic Fire Department largely stopped an early morning Whitehall Avenue basement fire in its tracks, according to fire officials.
Firefighters said the call for the fire at 106 Whitehall Ave. came in at 1:34 a.m.
Upon arrival, crews saw flames through a basement window on the left side of the 2½-story wood-frame house. Smoke was visible throughout the house.
As some firefighters worked to force open the basement door, others stretched a line to begin attacking the flames. Crews added a second line once the door was open.
According to officials, firefighters extinguished the blaze in the basement. It affected the first floor wall and floor, but not extensively. No other portion of the house sustained fire damage, officials said, and no one was injured.
Firefighters attributed the quick knockdown and minimal extension to the working smoke detectors that alerted occupants to the fire.
In addition to the Old Mystic team, members of the Mystic Fire Department, Mystic River Ambulance, Poquonnock Bridge Fire Department, Groton New London Sub Base Fire Department, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Paramedics, Stonington Police Department, Groton Fire Alarm and the American Red Cross assisted.
Old Mystic fire marshals and Stonington police are investigating the cause of the fire.
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