The West Hartford Fire Department responded to two separate blazes Monday night into Tuesday morning.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford firefighters were called to two separate incidents involving house fires Monday night into Tuesday, but there were no injuries and damage was minimized.

According to Deputy Chief Russell Duffy, at approximately 3:08 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23, a public safety dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a fire on Rockledge Drive, visible on the exterior of the home.

Crews arrived at the scene quickly and found “active fire conditions” on the outside of the home, which the homeowner was in the process of spraying with a fire extinguisher.

There were three occupants in the home when the blaze occurred, but all had already safely evacuated on their own.

West Hartford Fire Department personnel immediately took over and quickly and fully extinguished the remaining fire. A search of the home ensured that there was no extension to the interior, and crews ventilated the home and with a four-gas meter confirmed the inside air quality was safe.

According to Duffy, the fire was declared under control at 3:21 a.m.

An electrician will need to conduct an inspection to ensure the home’s electrical system is safe, and if that is confirmed then the residents will be permitted to reoccupy the home.

The cause of the fire has been determined, and the West Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the origin and cause. “At this time, the fire does not appear to be suspicious,” Duffy said.

The Rockledge Drive blaze was the second house fire to which West Hartford firefighters responded within a few hours.

On Monday evening, crews responded to a chimney fire on Lexington Drive.

That fire was contained to the chimney and did not extend into the residence, Duffy said. The occupants of the home were able to remain and were not displaced.

Duffy shared the following reminder with the community: “As colder weather approaches, the West Hartford Fire Department reminds residents to ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and functioning properly. Residents who use fireplaces or wood-burning stoves are also encouraged to have their chimneys and heating appliances inspected and cleaned annually to help prevent fires.”

The West Hartford Fire Department also thanked the Emergency Response Center, West Hartford Police, and the West Hartford Public Works Department for their assistance Monday night and early Tuesday morning.