At 7:05 p.m., Fairfield's Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting smoke rising from the southernmost warehouse on the site of the former Fairfield Lumber, said a statement from Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Tracy.
The site is near the downtown intersection of Post and Mill Plain roads. It has not been an active lumber yard for many years.
Fairfield Fire Engines 1, 2, 4, 5, Ladders 1, 2 and Car 3 were dispatched. Lt. Jay Swindon on Engine 2 was the first to arrive and confirmed a working structure fire, Tracy said.
Assistant Fire Chief Erik Kalapir arrived and assumed command, calling for Engine 3 and an additional ladder from Bridgeport. Bridgeport Fire Ladder 11 was dispatched, along with Engine 10, Ladder 10, Safety 1 and Battalion 1.
Fairfield Fire Chief Richard Felner and Deputy Fire Chief Kyran Dunn arrived. Dunn took sector command at the rear of the building as the fire extended into the center warehouse, Tracy said.
The fire extended to the northernmost attached warehouse, where crews were able to contain and extinguish it, Tracy said. The fire was declared under control at 9:55 p.m., with all hands continuing to fight spot fires as crews started to take up hose lines.
Fairfield fire's safety officer, fire marshal and inspector, and master mechanic, and building and conservation officials were on the scene of the fire along with Southport Tactical 14, Stratfield Rescue 15, Fairfield Police, AMR, American Red Cross, United Illuminating and Aquarion.
Fairfield Reserve Engines 6 and 7 along with Car 33, Southport Squad 14, Westport Engine 2, Norwalk Engine 3 and Truck 2, Easton Engine 3, and Stratford Ladder 1 provided station coverage for the town as all on-duty Fairfield personnel fought the blaze.
As of 10:45 p.m., all Fairfield units along with Bridgeport Engine 10, Ladder 11 and Battalion 1 remained at the scene, extinguishing hot spots, Tracy said.
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