Fire marshal: three October fires included a lithium-ion battery fire and a landscape-lighting brush fire

The New Canaan fire marshal reported three fires in October and used the briefing to emphasize prevention, public education and training.

The fire marshal said one incident involved a ceiling fixture confined by cement-board construction that likely limited spread. On Woodridge Circle, investigators concluded the lithium-ion battery fire "looks like the wrong battery was plugged into the right charger," the marshal said. A third fire on Weeburn Drive was sparked when incandescent landscape lighting heated pine needles that ignited; bystander reporting allowed firefighters to extinguish the blaze before damage occurred.

The chief reported the department responded to 119 calls in October and logged about 207 training topic hours, including driver training, class-B foam exercises, extrication drills and officer development scenarios. Officer (speaker 4) described a newly written 19-page bulletin focusing on the "first five minutes" of an incident and changes to hose packing to improve initial response.

The chief also reported fleet maintenance needs: a ladder truck suffered a rear-suspension failure and is awaiting parts expected in December; other rigs are scheduled for repairs and rotation. Hydrant testing prompted about 10 residents to sign up for the Everbridge emergency notification system, improving hydrant flow data.

The fire marshal praised schoolhouse-apartment outreach and said building-specific safety sessions draw good participation. He also noted the town has leased space adjacent to the Board of Education at 02 Elm Street for a relocated alternative high school and that a dust-related alarm issue there had been resolved.