Westport New Year's Eve Fire Under Investigation

WESTPORT — A New Year’s Eve fire is under investigation in Westport.

At approximately 7:20 p.m. on December 31, 2020, the Westport Police Department’s
communications center received a report of flames coming from the chimney of a single-story
residence at 33 Thomas Street.

The fire department was dispatched and upon arrival, commanding fire officer Captain Bruce Martin quickly determined there was a working fire in the walls and attic space. Upon declaring the working fire, the captain requested a mutual aid engine company from Dartmouth Fire District 3 for additional manpower.

Firefighters advanced a hand line into the attic space and found heavy smoke and fire throughout. They were able to quickly knock the fire down before it spread through the roof or into the first floor of the home, protecting a majority of the resident’s personal belongings from fire damage.

Fire officials say it is believed that the fire was burning for quite some time before it was reported, as evident by the fire damage that was noted in the attic space.

Courtesy Westport Fire Department

The occupants were home at the time of the fire and were able to evacuate the home without any injury. One firefighter suffered an arm injury as a result of a fall while operating on the fireground.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the department’s fire investigator, Lt. Bill Baraby. Assisting with rehab on the scene were members of the department’s EMA division.