Propane tanks complicate Willington blaze

State and local fire marshals are determining why a structure on River Road in Willington caught fire late Wednesday night. The investigation is ongoing as crews finish their work at the scene.

Willington fire crews arrived at the 700 block of River Road at 9:55 p.m. on October 28 to address a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, they faced heavy fire conditions with multiple propane tanks directly exposed to the flames. Firefighters used a transitional attack strategy to contain the blaze and stop it from spreading further.

The fire was under control by 10:32 p.m., roughly 37 minutes after the initial dispatch. Crews remained on site until about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday to conduct overhaul and wet-down operations. This extended presence was necessary to ensure the fire did not reignite.

Officials noted that mutual aid departments provided essential support during the incident. The chief of the Somers Fire Department also arrived to assist with fireground operations. Willington fire officials credited the coordination between these units for bringing the fire under control efficiently.

The Connecticut State Fire Marshal's Office is working with the Willington fire marshal to identify the specific cause of the fire. No final determination has been announced yet. The investigation continues as authorities examine the scene.