Fire Log: Gas Explosion Causes Severe Home Damage

The following information was provided by Fire Marshal Bob Buch:

Monday, Feb. 1

HAZMAT: The state Department of Environmental Protection called the Darien Fire Department to the I-95 north service area Monday at about 7:20 p.m., when a barrel of toxic and highly flammable chemicals ruptured aboard a parked tractor trailer. Read the full story here: Toxic Chemicals Close Rest Area

POSSIBLE HOUSE FIRE: A 7:30 p.m. report of a "fully involved" structure in the vicinity of Giovanni's Steak House on the Post Road was found to be false. The Noroton Fire Department responded to scene, and after investigating the surrounding area from the Stamford town line to Nearwater Lane, reported the fire as "unfounded."

Tuesday, Feb. 2

FIRE ALARM ACTIVATION: An overheating boiler at the Darien YMCA Gymnastics Center at the Goodwives Shopping Center set off the fire alarm just before 8:30 a.m. All three fire departments responded to the malfunctioning alarm. They were back again on Thursday morning—same time—for a second false alarm. The two incidents cost the YMCA $200 in fines.

Wednesday, Feb. 3

MVA/INJURIES: The Noroton Heights Fire Department assisted Post 53 in a one-vehicle accident on the I-95 between exists 10 and 11. The accident occurred at 11:40 p.m. and no major injuries have been reported.

Thursday, Feb. 4

MVA/INJURY: A two-car accident on Thursday afternoon brought volunteers from all three fire departments to the I-95 northbound near exit 11. Officials do not report entrapment; they point to "fluid clean up" as the volunteers' main task.

HAZMAT: A resident on Chester Road called for help at 4:30 p.m., after spilling Kerosene in the garage. Kerosene is a toxic and flammable fuel often used for stoves and lamps. Fire Marshal Bob Buch said Volunteers from the Noroton Heights Fire Department helped clean up the spill with absorbent material.

GAS EXPLOSION: A gas-fireplace explosion caused severe chimney damage to a home on Salisbury Road. Darien Fire responded to the residence on Thursday just before 7 p.m., when the homeowner first reported the damage. She said the gas-fireplace blast had occurred the evening prior, and she had noticed soot and smoke. She said it wasn't until the following day, Thursday, when her housekeeper noticed "severe damage" to the chimney in the basement that she called fire officials. Authorities say they have yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion.

Friday, Feb. 5

MVA/INJURY: Darien Fire responded to a one-car rollover on I-95 near Exit 13 at about 6 p.m. EMS assisted the motorist; no entrapment was reported.

Saturday, Feb. 6

TRASH FIRE: A trash fire brought Darien Fire to the dump at 1 p.m. Fire Marshal Bob Buch said the fire took place inside the transfer station building, when material tossed in one of the tailors ignited.

"It could have been caused by any number of things," he said.