Home Damaged by Fire Remains Uninhabitable

A fire that caused a high level of damage at 25 Upson Place began in an electric dryer, Fire Marshall Jeff Boland said Tuesday, a week after the blaze displaced a family of four.

"The damage is heavy in the house. The fire did start in the clothes dryer," Boland said.

Building Inspector Bert Schiaroli said the house isn't safe for occupancy. He said the fire burned a load bearing wall behind the clothes dryer. "It burned through some studs and through four second floor joists. There's a big hole in the (hallway) floor upstairs," he said. 

Schiaroli said the home technically could be rebuilt, but it's up to the insurance company and the family to decide whether it's financially worth it to do so. The owners couldn't be reached for comment.

"There is no damage to the first floor, but the fire went up the wall and got into the attic. Then it was drawn down through the soffit vents," Schiaroli said.

The fire occurred about 12:30 p.m. on May 10 and initially was responded to by the Southington Fire Department because the home borders the town line off Marion Avenue in Cheshire.

A report on the Cheshire Fire Department's website notes there is extensive damage to the home including a partial collapse of the second floor.

Cheshire firefighters stayed on the scene for three hours after the fire was extinguished, according to the website, to stabilize the second floor.

 Four fire trucks responded from Cheshire while Southington also sent four trucks, including a ladder truck. 

 No one was hurt in the fire but the family's two dogs died of smoke inhalation despite fire official's efforts to resuscitate them.

 The fire was reported by a driver on Interstate-84 which runs close to the backyard of the home. 

Elizabeth Miller and her husband Kevin Myjack lived in the home with two of their three children, according to neighbors.