Photo: Eugene Driscoll
The scene at the corner of Wakelee Avenue and Clarkson Street Saturday morning.
Ansonia Fire Marshal Darrick Lundeen is investigating the cause of a minor basement fire in a multi-family house on Wakelee Avenue.
There were no injuries or major damage reported.
The Ansonia Fire Department was sent to 273 Wakelee Ave. at about 7:15 a.m. Saturday. The Derby Fire Department was called in to assist.
The three-family house is at the corner of Wakelee Avenue and Clarkson Street.
Ansonia Fire Department Chief Edward Adamowski said the first units on scene saw light smoke coming from the Clarkson Street side of the house.
The tenants were outside, having called for help after smelling smoke.
“We gained entry to the basement, that’s where the heaviest smoke was,” Adamowski said.
Firefighters made sure no flames extended to other areas of the house. The house is 108 years old and features “balloon-frame” construction, an outdated design that allows fire to spread quickly.
But in this case any flames were limited to the basement, on or around the furnace. The fire marshal will investigate the specifics.
About 40 firefighters responded. The temperature outside was 12 degrees.
