2 Escape Overnight House Fire In North Haven: Officials

NORTH HAVEN, CT — Two people escaped an overnight house fire through their bedroom windows Wednesday in North Haven, according to fire officials.

The two residents were initially trapped inside their bedrooms when the fire started around 3 a.m., according to officials.

“Smelling smoke, one occupant immediately jumped out of their first-floor bedroom window and immediately alerted the second occupant from the outside,” officials wrote in a post on the North Haven Fire Department’s Facebook page. “After assisting the second occupant through the window, the occupants went to the neighbors to call 911. The occupant also attempted to extinguish the fire from the outside by breaking a window and using an extinguisher.”

The North Haven 911 dispatch center received two reports from neighbors of a house on fire in the area of North Avenue at 3:02 a.m., according to the post. Callers reported seeing smoke and flames from the exterior.

“North Haven Fire units were dispatched at 3:04 AM to the scene, including Engine 1, Engine 2, Volunteer Engine 6, Rescue 1, and Tower 1. Engine 1, under the command of Captain Brockett, arrived on the scene at 3:09 AM to find smoke showing from a one story, single-family house, occupants reported to be outside,” officials wrote. “Fire attack was commenced by Engine 1 crew from the rear of the structure. Heavy smoke and fire conditions were encountered inside the building, and the fire was quickly controlled with a hose line from Engine 1. Engine 2 established a water supply using the closest hydrant and the Rescue crew conducted a primary search.

“The fire had extended into the attic space and, thanks to aggressive overhaul, was prevented from causing further damage to the structure. Tower 1 members threw ground ladders to the roof as a precaution, and provided horizontal ventilation. The on-call chief officer and FM investigators were called to the scene by command. All units assisted with interior overhaul and extinguishment on scene. West Ridge Volunteer Engine 6 signed on the air, responding with a crew within 12 minutes of dispatch and provided a standby on scene. North East Volunteer Engine 7 had a crew standing by at the station but did not respond to the scene.”

Due to the “extensive fire damage” inside the structure, officials said United Illuminating and the town building officials were called to the scene to control hazards.

“The building was deemed unsafe due to fire damage, and the power was shut off pending repairs,” officials wrote. “Red Cross assistance was offered to the occupants, but they refused any assistance. The occupants were allowed to remove personal items and valuables prior to securing the building.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the North Haven Fire Marshal's Office.

“While units were still on scene, a priority medical emergency was reported across town with CPR in progress,” officials wrote. “Fire units clearing the scene were sent on that emergency and assisted with transport to the hospital.”

The last unit cleared the fire scene around 5 a.m. and “returned to quarters to decontaminate equipment and PPE,” according to officials.

“The North Haven Fire Department wants to remind all residents to have working smoke detectors in their home to provide early warning in the event of a fire,” officials wrote.