Firefighters battling a blaze at 42 Harbor Road last Thursday were initially shorthanded, as the rest of the on-duty personnel were still at the scene of a rollover on the Merritt Parkway.

The home experienced "severe heat and smoke damage," according to Acting Fire Marshal Ed Zygmant.

"Mulitple calls put excessive stress on the manpower," he noted.

The rest of the on-duty personnel, as well as off-duty staff and members of the Norwalk Fire Department subsequently aided the first firefighters on the scene.

"The guys did a good job," said Zygmant. "They held the fire to the room of origin."

The room of origin was a second story living area over a garage. No residents were home at the time of the fire. Three cats removed from the structure did not suffer any injuries.

While the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, fire officials do not believe the cats had anything to do with it.

Eight Norwalk firefighters assisted Westport at the scene. Members of the Wilton Fire Department manned Westport headquarters to cover any subsequent calls for service.

First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, who also serves as a volunteer firefighter, was on the scene dressed in firefighter gear to do his part to make up for the inadequate number of staff.

"We would love to have more guys," said Zygmant, who noted that when there are two calls at the same time in the Saugatuck Shores area of Westport, the Norwalk Fire Department responds to one of the calls per a mutual aid agreement.