12/16/08 Breaking NON-News: Debra Friedman Reports, "No further information on the fire was available." - Great Reporting Job Debra (Updated)

HOME AT 35 NUTMEG DRIVE, GLENVILLE, Greenwich fire officials inspect the site of a fire at 35 Nutmeg Drive in Glenville. (Bob Luckey/Staff Photo)

Fire damages Glenville home

By Debra Friedman / Staff Writer
Article Launched: 12/16/2008 03:16:54 PM EST

No further information on the fire was available.

UPDATE:

DEBRA TRIES AGAIN AND RE-FILES HER REPORT

Friedman Sets A New Hearst Newspaper Reporting Record

At The Greenwich Time

Give Debra About 24 Years A She Can

Cover And File A Routine Fire Story.

Morning fire displaces family

By Debra Friedman / Staff Writer
Article Launched: 12/17/2008 02:34:42 AM EST

Fire broke out at a house on Nutmeg Drive late Tuesday morning, damaging a work shop and temporarily displacing the family who lives there, fire officials said.

No one was injured in the small house fire, according to officials, but electrical problems resulting from the blaze forced the family to find another place to stay at least for the night, according to Deputy Fire Marshal James McDonald.

"Until they get an electrician out there to fix the problems they can't stay there," said McDonald.

The fire 35 Nutmeg Drive was contained to one room, which was badly damaged, according to Deputy Chief Keith Millette, who was on scene overseeing the firefighting efforts.

He said the 10-by-20-foot workshop was completely gutted.

Firefighters raced to the home after receiving a 911 call from a woman who lived there and reported smelling smoke, officials said. Engine 4 from the Central Stationwas first on the scene, officials said.

"When they got there, there were visible flames and a lot of smoke," said McDonald.

Millette said it took firefighters 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze and officials said they are still investigating the cause.....

....Fire officials said they had not determined whether or not the smoke alarms went off prior to their arrival.

Officials did not identify the residents of the house, but town property records list the homeowners as Percy and Celina Mentore. The house is shown to be assessed at $1,065,000. The residents could not be reached for comment Tuesday due to a disconnected number.

Fire officials said the family has two children who were at school at the time of the fire. They also have three dogs who were located outside when firefighters and police arrived on scene, officials said. Animal control was initially called out to assist authorities in calming the animals who were unsettled by all the commotion, officials said.

McDonald said town fire marshals will continue to investigate the cause of the fire. There was no estimate on the cost of the damage to the house, officials said.

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