Bridgeport Fire Department Works Quickly to Contain Blaze at Corbin Branch Residence to Basement
By Jeff Toquinto on April 29, 2016 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
The Bridgeport Fire Department and multiple other emergency agencies responded to a structure fire early this afternoon along Corbin Branch Road. One person was transported to United Hospital Center for issues regarding smoke inhalation, but fire officials said nothing was life threatening.
According to Bridgeport Fire Chief Phil Hart, when crew arrived on the scene there was a working fire that was in a room of the 
basement of what appeared to be a relatively new structure situated along a hillside. Hart said the fire did not go beyond the basement.
basement of what appeared to be a relatively new structure situated along a hillside. Hart said the fire did not go beyond the basement.
“We were able to knock it down fairly fast once we arrived and the fire did not spread beyond the basement,” said Hart. “There is damage to the basement area and there is smoke damage throughout the house.”
The cause of the fire appears to be accidental. And the fire crews got an unexpected assist from the fire that may have helped slow things down as far as the fire spreading before emergency personnel could arrive.
“It appears to be accidental in nature as the result of an electric heater. The home owners had a water leak in the basement and plugged the electric heater in to try and dry up the moisture,” said Hart. “Apparently, there was something combustible too close to the heater that sparked the fire.
“After further investigation, we were able to determine what kept the fire fairly contained to the one area of the basement before our arrival,” Hart continued. “The fire actually burned a water line in two and it served as a sprinkler system that contained the fire to that room.”
Smoke was seen coming from the front door of the residential unit. Fire crew were using fans to help remove smoke from the structure.
According to Hart, only one person there during the blaze. Anmoore EMS transported the male patient due to the aforementioned issues with smoke inhalation.
Due to the more rural location and the fact that it was a working fire, multiple units responded. Shinnston, Boothesville and Valley Volunteer Fire Departments were all on the scene.
The number of fire units and other apparatus involved forced motorists to avoid the area. The roadway blocked in both directions.
The call for the blaze went out at 12:09 p.m.
Editor's Note: Fire Chief Phil Hart is shown above as smoke pours from the front door of the residence. Bottom photo shows the multiple agencies, led by Bridgeport, working together to get the scene under control.
