Fire damages Darien townhouse

Fire investigators are trying to piece together what started a roaring blaze inside a Darien townhouse garage, which caused extensive damage to the residence Sunday morning.

The fire was contained to one unit of a four unit townhouse on the 2600 block of Woodmere Drive, but fire officials said the fire took about an hour to bring under control.

“They will be out of the unit for an extended period of time,” said Darien-Woodridge Fire District Director Robert Morris.

The resident of the unit told fire investigators he was awaked by the sound of the garage door opening and his car alarm sounding just before 7 a.m. Sunday. He then walked outside and saw the garage on fire.

Eleven fire departments and 60 personnel were on the scene of the box alarm fire and one firefighter was injured when he slipped on ice.

Fire officials said he was transported to an area hospital for a shoulder injury and was released Sunday.

The first fire crews on the scene reported a large amount of fire blowing out of the garage and extending to the second floor roof, according to the fire district.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday night, but Morris said there was nothing found at the scene to believe foul play was involved.

The lone resident of the rental unit is staying with friends and family.