Mother, Son Escape Smoky Fire

A mother and son escaped from a smoky fire in their South Pine Creek Road house early this morning as firefighters arrived and brought the blaze under control in about 20 minutes.

Assistant Fire Chief Steve Curry said the blaze was confined to the basement and that the mother and son, who weren't immediately identified, were outside the house when firefighters arrived. No one was injured, Curry said.

"Heavy smoke showing when we got here. Occupants were out. Just checking for extensions," Curry said to Fire Chief Richard Felner about 3:45 a.m.

Curry said the mother and son were sleeping when a smoke detector woke them up. They could smell smoke, and, when the mother opened the basement door, she saw fire. The son said, "Let's get out," and they left the house and called 911, Curry said to Fairfield Patch.

Curry said damage from the fire was confined to the basement and was estimated at about $20,000.

Fire Marshal William Kessler was on scene to investigate the fire.

South Pine Creek Road, south of South Street, was blocked by police cars for more than an hour while firefighters extinguished the blaze, checked for extensions and ventilated the 915 South Pine Creek Road house.

The one and-a-half-story Cape Cod-style house is listed on tax records as being owned by Barbara Barrett of Lucille Street in Fairfield. It was built in 1960, is on 0.43 acres and was most recently assessed at $404,110, according to tax records.