Quick Thinking Prevents Fire Damage

A resident's quick thinking to call the fire department after smelling smoke coming from the apartment next-door may have saved the abutting residence from significant fire damage, according to Stratford Asst. Chief Lance Edwards.

When fire officials arrived at 101 Birch Drive at about 7 p.m. Friday, the apartment was filled with smoke and there was no one home, Edwards said. After gaining entry into the residence, a small fire was discovered coming from a pot of unattended food on the stove, he said.

The fire was quickly put out, but had the call come in five minutes later, the damage could have been significant, Edwards said.

At about 7:35 p.m., firefighters were venting the home to lower carbon monoxide levels.

"The homeowners should be in shortly," Edwards said at that time.