Sandy Hook Oven Fire Causes Smoke Damage

By Andrew Gorosko

A Berkshire Road home received an estimated $15,000 in smoke damage from an oven fire on the evening of Thursday, May 1, according to Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead.

At about 5:10 pm, firefighters received an emergency call from Catherine Knapp, 93, of 8 Berkshire Road, reporting that an oven fire had occurred. Ms Knapp was alone in the home at the time, Mr Halstead said. The cape-style house is near Berkshire Road’s intersection with Oakview Road.

Fortunately, a Sandy Hook firefighter happened to be in the vicinity at the time and quickly reached the home to aid Ms Knapp, Mr Halstead said.

Ms Knapp had been using the oven to cook some food. A plastic object that had been left in the electric oven caught fire and melted, creating a smoke condition within the house, Mr Halstead said.

About two dozen Sandy Hook and Newtown Hook and Ladder firefighters went to the incident in the evening rush hour. Firefighters drove four fire trucks to the fire. Hawleyville firefighters were alerted to the incident, but remained on standby in their fire station.

After reaching the house, Sandy Hook firefighters, and then Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps members, provided medical aid to Ms Knapp, Mr Halstead said. Ms Knapp was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and did not require an ambulance trip to the hospital, the fire chief said.

Ms Knapp appeared to be in good condition following the incident, Mr Halstead said.

The house remains habitable, but will require extensive cleanup work to repair the damage caused by the resinous smoke emitted from the burning plastic, Mr Halstead said.