Lucky timing by a Wilton patrol officer may have saved a Forest Road industrial building from serious fire damage.
At around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening, police officer Matt Holland was on patrol when he checked on a vacant industrial warehouse on 70 Forest Road, according to Police Chief Eric Olesen. He found one of the doors open, and checked the interior for trespassers.
He didn’t find anyone in the building, but he did find an electrical fire starting in one of the lighting fixtures.
Holland had a fire extinguisher in his cruiser, and after notifying dispatch of the fire, was able to put it out himself before crews arrived, Olesen said.
“I’m not a fire guy, but it’s my determination that if he didn't act or notice that open door that building wouldn't be standing today. Or if it was, it would be heavily damaged by fire,” Olesen said.