SPFD Helps Battle Basement Blaze in Sprinfield

Firefighters rushed to battle an early-afternoon fire at a Springfield apartment complex Wednesday. No one was injured, Springfield Fire Chief James Sanford said, but the blaze appeared to have claimed the life of a dog, which was dead upon firefighters' arrival at the scene. 

Shortly after 1 p.m., Springfield firefighters responded to the upscale housing development at 955 South Springfield Avenue following reports of a fire in the basement. The owner of the townhouse-style home said she was home at the time of the fire, but declined to elaborate.

The Springfield Fire Department received aid from Scotch Plains, Union, Millburn, Summit and Westfield firefighters, who helped contain the fire to the basement. Members of the Springfield First Aid Squad were also on scene and provided firefighters with water, towels and temporary shelter to cope with the day's sweltering 90-degree heat.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Sanford said. The county will lead the investigation.