Garage Space Within Sandy Hook House Hit By Fire

By Andrew Gorosko

Firefighters from all five local volunteer fire companies responded to a report of a blaze at 9:49 am on Saturday, July 2, at a ranch-style house at 26 Beechwood Drive in Sandy Hook, officials said.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead said that the fire occurred within a two-bay garage located on the lower level of the house where Michael Silva and his three sons are the tenants.

There were no vehicles inside the garage when the fire occurred, but the garage contained many items, including clothing and camping equipment, the fire chief said.

Mr Silva received minor injuries in the incident and was treated at the scene by the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Chief Halstead said.

Chief Halstead, who also is the town fire marshal, said the fire may have started due to an electrical problem. No damage estimate was available. The residents of the house reported the fire.

The garage space was gutted due to the fire and the house received some smoke damage in the incident, Chief Halstead said. Firefighters used less than 100 gallons of water in extinguishing the blaze, he added.

To keep the fire from spreading into the living area of the structure, firefighters entered the garage from the rear and moved toward the garage doors as they extinguished the fire, he said.