A fire destroyed a $4 million mansion in Weston, Connecticut, on Thanksgiving Day.
Investigations point to a turkey fryer used indoors as the likely cause.
The fire started at 3:42 p.m. in the garage and spread quickly to the 9,378-square-foot home.
Around 40 people were inside the residence at the time and safely evacuated before emergency responders arrived.
Fire Chief John Pokorny stated: “Firefighters attempted an aggressive fire attack; however, their efforts were hampered by dangerous fire conditions and the structural collapse of the building.”
Firefighters faced additional challenges as a vehicle drove over a water supply hose, disrupting water flow for several minutes.
Crews from Weston and mutual aid departments worked for over 16 hours to contain the fire.
The property, which included 11 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms, was deemed a total loss.
Public records show it was purchased for $4,018,000.
Weston First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor thanked all responders and support services, including neighboring fire departments and organizations such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army.
Fire officials confirmed that the blaze began in the garage and was likely caused by the improper use of a turkey fryer.
In a release, the Weston Volunteer Fire Department highlighted the risks: “This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of frying turkeys indoors or in enclosed spaces.”
The Georgetown Fire Department echoed these concerns in a social media post, advising the public to operate turkey fryers outdoors and in well-ventilated areas.
The response to the fire involved multiple agencies, including Weston Volunteer EMS, Weston Public Works, and utility services such as Eversource and Aquarion.
These organizations contributed to managing the incident and supporting affected individuals.
Efforts to manage the fire underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in emergencies.
Weston officials commended the collaboration, noting that such coordination ensures safety and timely assistance during large-scale incidents.
A Thanksgiving Day fire destroyed a mansion in Weston, Connecticut, valued at over $4 million.
The fire started in the garage, likely due to a turkey fryer.
All 40 occupants evacuated safely before the fire spread to the rest of the property.
Firefighters faced challenges, including a damaged water supply hose, but worked for over 16 hours to contain the blaze.
The home, which included 11 bedrooms and 9.5 bathrooms, was deemed a total loss.
Local officials and emergency responders emphasized the importance of following safety guidelines for turkey fryers to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Multiple agencies collaborated in managing the response and ensuring the safety of those involved.
