A small electrical appliance caught fire in the basement of a West Hartford home on Saturday morning.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford firefighters were able to quickly knock down a fire in the basement of a single-family home on Plainfield Road on Saturday, but due to extensive smoke caused by burning plastic the resident will be displaced for at least a day or two, Deputy Chief Russell Duffy said.

There were no injuries to either the elderly resident of the home, the resident’s aide who was there at the time, or to any responding firefighters. The resident and aide were able to self-evacuate, officials said.

According to Duffy, a call was initially received by dispatchers at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday resulting from the activation of the resident’s medical alert button. While responders were en route, the aide called and said there was smoke present, and the response was upgraded to a structure fire at 11:43 a.m.

Fire on Plainfield Road. July 12, 2025. Photo courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

Ladder 4 arrived on the scene at 11:47, and was able to knock down the fire in the appliance in the basement – believed to be a dehumidifier – by 11:54 a.m.

“There was a lot of smoke because it was plastic,” Duffy said, and the occupant will be displaced at least over night or for a few days – and will be able to stay with their aide – while the smoke and soot is remediated. He said there was no structural damage to the residence.

The fire was declared under control by 12:06 p.m., once the smoke was vented from the home.

Fire on Plainfield Road. July 12, 2025. Photo courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

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