Ridgefield firefighters douse house fire

RIDGEFIELD — A house on Lounsbury Lane was partially engulfed in flames Friday night when the Ridgefield Fire Department first arrived on scene.

The call came in around 8:30 p.m. after the family who lives at 86 Lounsbury Lane came home and discovered the blaze, Fire Chief Jerry Myers said. He noted it was a “big fire” that took four hours to put out.

More than 30 career and volunteer members of the RFD were assisted by firefighters from surrounding departments in Georgetown, Danbury, West Redding, Wilton and South Salem, N.Y. No injuries were reported.

Suppressing the fire was “challenging,” Myers said, since crews didn’t have access to a nearby water source. The departments used seven tanker trucks to shuttle water onto the scene from a remote fill site at Florida Hill and Cooper Hill roads.

On Saturday crews discovered “hot spots” in some parts of the home, Myers said. “As they lifted the layers and got into the basement it was still burning in places.”

The fire caused a “total loss” of the home, Myers added. While the cause is still under investigation, he said it appears to be “accidental in nature.”

Members of the Wilton Fire Department covered RFD headquarters during the blaze to respond to other calls. They were assisted by ambulances from Georgetown and Danbury.

Angel of Ridgefield is collecting gift cards and monetary donations for the family that was displaced. The local nonprofit was founded three years ago after the death of resident Sharron Lavatori, who liked to help those in need. Beneficiaries remain completely confidential.

Lavatori’s sister, Stephanie Heering, said the organization has received “a lot of donations” via Venmo since Friday’s fire. Those interested in contributing can send an amount of their choosing to @angelofridgefield, or drop off gift cards in a secure black mailbox at attorney Robb Heering's office (142 North St., Ridgefield).

“We are so pleased and thankful for everyone that has given support to this family,” Stephanie Heering said. “They are very appreciative.”