UPDATE: Roof Ice Melt System Caused Wahackme House Fire

Update: August 13

Fire Marshal Fred Baker reports the fire at 182 Wahackme Road was caused by the malfunction of an ice melt system installed on the structure's wooden roof.  He did not know the age or manufacture of the system, and said the homeowners told him it was already installed when they purchased the home in 2004.

Update: 2:25 p.m.

New Canaan Fire Marshall Fred Baker says the cause of this morning's roof fire at a home on Wahackme Road has not yet been determined. 

"It appears accidental," Baker said, "We're not confirming what started it.  We'll be continuing the investigation."

The family noticed an odor sometime between 5:30 and 5:45 this morning. "They checked the house and did not see anything," Baker said. They almost blew if off because they couldn't find anything.  Then they went outside and saw smoke coming off the roof. The fire was just starting to break through."

The family called the fire department and was safe outside when police and firefighters arrived. Baker said fire can spread very quickly on a wood roof like the one at the house, especially in dry weather.

The house has an alarm system, but it did not go off, Baker said. "The fire and smoke were above it. Unless they had a sensor on top of the roof (an alarm) wouldn't work in a case like this.  Sometimes it happens with a lightning strike.  The smoke and fire are above the sensors," 

ORIGINAL STORY

An early morning house fire at 182 Wahackme Road was quickly contained by firefighters, according to Chief Edward Karl.

Residents called in the fire at 5:58 a.m., and the blaze was under control by 6:26, Karl said.

"All residents were out before the police arrived," Karl said. "There were parents and children and several pets.  No injuries were reported."

According to tax records, the residence is owned by Kenneth and Victoria Germann.

The fire began on the shake shingle roof and spread quickly, according to Karl. Fire damage was contained to the third floor attic and roof.  Water damage was sustained on the other two floors of the wooden structure.

"I'd like to compliment the first in firefighting team," Karl said. "Captain Eugene Tiani, Mike Tiani and Duffy Sasser.  They did a phenomenal job of knocking down and putting out the fire."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.