Orient Garage Fire Spreads to House; Family Escapes Unharmed

Just before 1 p.m. on Monday afternoon, the was called to a working house fire at 600 Major Pond Road in Orient.

Detective John Sinning said the fire started in a workshop in a garage attached to the house. No one was in the workshop when the fire started. Sinning said the fire spread through the basement into the main house.

By 2:30 p.m., the garage fire appeared to be under control but smoke could still be seen in the main house. Firefighters were working to get the fire under control despite windy conditions and water problems. According to fire officials, a tanker shuttle was later in place to combat water pressure problems.

The house belongs to Helmars and Jocelyn Ozolins. The couple and their two children were home when the fire started but escaped unharmed.

A neighbor said the family resides in Orient full-time and the house is fairly new.

Just before 4 p.m., Bob Fischer, fire coordinator with the , said one firefighter was sent to the hospital. After investigation, authorities determined that the cause of the fire was accidental and related to an electrcal malfunction in a garage light fixture.

Members from the entire 8th Division including, and fire departments responded to the scene.