At 7:15 am on Monday, June 9th, the Litchfield Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming from an outlet at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 2 Ohren Lane. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a small fire that had developed within the wall of the structure.
Crews quickly went to work using hand tools to expose the void spaces in the wall and located the source of the fire. Utilizing Air Pressurized Water Extinguishers (APW), firefighters effectively extinguished the fire before it could spread to other areas of the building.
An investigation determined that the fire was accidental in nature and originated from an external heat source. A pressure washer, placed too close to the building, allowed excessive heat from its exhaust to enter a wall void. This heat ignited building materials, causing the fire to smolder behind the
exterior surface. Thanks to the fast response and precise action by fire crews, damage was minimized and operations at the restaurant were able to resume following safety inspections. No injuries were reported.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining safe clearances between heat- producing equipment and structures. The Litchfield Fire Department encourages all businesses andcontractors to be mindful of potential ignition hazards during routine maintenance or cleaning.