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The home at 70 Pumping Station Road in Ridgefield.
Macklin Reid / Hearst Connecticut Media
A fire Thursday night left a home on Pumping Station Road uninhabitable, according to Assistant Fire Chief Mickey Grasso. No injuries were reported.
“There’s extensive damage to the house,” Grasso said.
The cause hadn’t been determined as of late Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s thought to be electrical, but still under investigation,” Fire Chief Jerry Myers said.
“It apparently started in an office area inside the home,” Grasso said.
About 30 firefighters and trucks from Ridgefield and neighboring New York communities responded to the 8:52 p.m. call.
“The fire was under control within about half an hour into the incident, and we left there about 11:30,” Grasso said.
“We left a tanker with a crew there in case there was any rekindle, but there was not.”
The call came in from the homeowners, Alison and Joseph Doucet, who had lived in the house for almost 50 years.
“They called 911 and stated they had a fire in the house. They were advised to evacuate,” Grasso said.
The Ridgefield Fire Department responded with five fire engines — two of them tankers — and both paid and volunteer personnel. They were supported by tankers and crews from three departments — Vista, South Salem and Pound Ridge — from neighboring New York.
The Doucets wrote a letter to the community Monday, Oct. 21, thanking neighbors for their show of support: “...slowly but surely we are getting ourselves back on track,” the Doucets wrote. “In the immediate aftermath, we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone in our wonderful town for the warmth and support you have shown us. In particular, we are grateful to the Ridgefield Fire Department and the fire services of neighboring towns that came to our aid, and to the Town of Ridgefield, its Social Service department, and to First Selectman Rudy Marconi for coming to see us.”
The Doucets said they were reminded of the immeasurable value of the community they have so enjoyed for many years.
“We are deeply grateful to our dear friends, neighbors and family for their love and kindness, and to the countless community members who have offered shelter, clothing and food,” the couple wrote. “We are sad to have lost our old home, but truly thankful to be surrounded by such an amazing community of people.”