Fire Commission Hears Valley Road Fire Likely to Stay Undetermined

Other Committee · Meeting of May 12, 2026

New Canaan Fire Commission hears Valley Road fire probe likely to end undetermined. Fire Marshal Paul told commissioners investigators could not determine whether a charger, battery, power tool or booster pack ignited the blaze, and a lab analysis in Massachusetts has not been scheduled. The department logged 91 calls for service, including a mutual-aid response to a fatal third-alarm fire in South Salem and a carbon monoxide emergency on Elm Street that measured 1,200 parts per million.

Fire Chief Todd said Engine 7's 25 open work orders may require a costly in-frame rebuild or full motor replacement, while Tanker 8 needs roughly $41,000 in needle-and-scale and paint work. "He's very lucky that he and his buddies got back up the stairs," Todd said of the carbon monoxide call. Commissioners approved the April 14 minutes and adjourned unanimously.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 868 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of May 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

The Full Article

NEW CANAAN — May 12, 2026 — Investigators have reached no conclusion on what sparked a fire on Valley Road, and the cause is likely to be recorded as undetermined, Fire Marshal Paul told the New Canaan Fire Commission at its Tuesday meeting.

Fire Marshal Paul said lithium-ion batteries found at the scene cannot be ruled out, with investigators unable to determine whether a charger, a battery itself, a power tool or a plugged-in booster pack failed first. A laboratory analysis in Massachusetts has not yet been scheduled. Commissioners also heard that Engine 7 has 25 open work orders tied to a suspected internal engine problem, and that fixing Tanker 8's rust and paint will cost roughly $41,000.

The Full Story

Fire Marshal Paul opened his report by correcting two typographical errors in the commission's April report: the document should have been dated April, not March, and a new fire alarm system was installed at Waveny House, not at St. Aloysius School as originally written. He then updated commissioners on the ongoing investigation into a fire at Valley Road, where he served as lead investigator alongside roughly eight other investigators, one for each battery company with equipment at the scene. Investigators bagged and examined a garage full of battery-powered tools and found some ruptured cells, he said, but could not determine which component failed first.

Fire Marshal Paul also reported that a balcony fire at Cannon Parish was traced, through video surveillance, to improper disposal of smoking material, and that the property's management company is addressing the matter with the tenant involved. He said the Waveny House elevator project is nearing completion, with systems testing anticipated the last week of May, and that utility poles along Cherry Street are being relocated underground as part of ongoing construction there.

Fire Chief Todd told commissioners the department has been coordinating with contractor AP Construction on the Waveny Care addition, working out a plan that consolidates relocations of the project's Knox Box and fire alarm annunciator panel to a single location rather than moving them multiple times. He also reported the department received a letter from resident Carol Lacuzzo thanking members for two separate calls in one week in which firefighters used a Dremel tool to cut rings off residents' fingers.

The department logged 91 calls for service in the reporting period: 7 fires, 9 medical calls, 14 hazardous conditions, zero rescues, 17 public service calls and 44 non-emergency calls. Notable incidents included mutual aid to a multiple-fatality, third-alarm fire in South Salem during an 87-degree day, a balcony fire at 186 Lake Street that crews extinguished quickly, and a carbon monoxide emergency at 105 Elm Street in which workers running gas-powered equipment in a basement lost consciousness; one reading measured 1,200 parts per million.

Much of the meeting focused on the department's aging fleet. Engine 7 has 25 open work orders, many tied to engine sleeve and "blow-by" issues; officials are weighing an in-frame rebuild against a full motor replacement from Cummins before a new engine arrives in November, and hope to send the truck out for repair around July, ahead of salt season. Rescue 5 remains out of service over a generator warranty dispute with manufacturer Harrison. Engine 2 and Engine 4 are set for an outside mechanical assessment after the new fiscal year begins in July. Fire Chief Todd said he met with the local union's executive board and plans to form an apparatus committee, with Lieutenant Betty and union representatives, to set priority criteria for repairs.

"More than likely it was due to a fault in the way the battery is being charged or handled or damaged," Fire Marshal Paul said of the Valley Road fire's probable cause.

"He's very lucky that he and his buddies got back up the stairs," Fire Chief Todd said of the carbon monoxide incident on Elm Street.

"She was super happy, dropped us off coffee, and had a very positive experience," Fire Chief Todd said of the resident who wrote to thank the department for the ring-removal calls.

Why It Matters

The commission's fleet discussion signals real budget pressure heading into the next fiscal year. Engine 7's repair could cost significantly more if officials choose full motor replacement over an in-frame rebuild, and Tanker 8's roughly $41,000 needle-and-scale and paint job may be pushed into July to preserve funds for smaller, more urgent fixes. Officials said the department is running close to fully committed on its current budget, at about 75 percent spent, with only a few discretionary line items, such as unused uniform allowances, available to shift money around.

The still-undetermined cause of the Valley Road fire matters for residents with home battery-charging setups: officials said lithium-ion batteries, chargers and power tools stored together remain a fire risk even without a definitive cause finding, and continued public education, including on carbon monoxide from gas-powered equipment, is planned in coordination with the first selectman's office.

Key Motions & Votes

- Vote: Approval of April 14 meeting minutes Tally: Approved unanimously

- Vote: Motion to adjourn Tally: Approved unanimously

Source

Town Of New Canaan: Fire Commission meeting, May 12, 2026