2 Killed, Including 8-Year-Old Child, In House Fire In North Haven: Police

NORTH HAVEN, CT — An 8-year-old boy and an elderly man were killed in a house fire early Monday morning in North Haven, according to officials.

The North Haven Communications Center received multiple 911 calls around 12:30 a.m. reporting a house fire on George Street in North Haven.

A caller indicated that a child was trapped on the second floor of the residence, according to officials.

The North Haven Fire Department arrived at the scene within three minutes of dispatch with a rescue unit, followed by an engine and truck within four minutes, according to officials.

Officials said firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions on both the first and second floors, and it was confirmed that an 8-year-old boy was trapped in a second-floor bedroom.

Firefighters found two victims on the second floor—an elderly man in a bedroom and a child under a bed, according to officials.

The man was found dead, police said, while the 8-year-old child was rescued inside the home and “tragically did not survive.”

Fire officials said the child was removed by firefighters from the second floor by a ground ladder and taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 1:30 a.m.

In total, officials said six occupants were in the home at the time of the fire.

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Four people were able to escape, including an elderly woman and two additional children, all of whom were unharmed, according to a news release from the North Haven Fire Department.

A woman was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, according to officials.

“Several neighbors made heroic efforts to enter the home and alert the remaining occupants before firefighters arrived,” officials wrote in the news release. “Additional assistance was requested from the Hamden Fire Department, which provided an engine, truck, and shift commander. The Connecticut State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit, along with investigators from the North Haven Fire Department and North Haven Police Department, are investigating the cause of the fire. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced family, and North Haven CERT provided on-scene support to firefighters.”

One firefighter sustained a minor injury, according to officials.

The North Haven Fire Department has notified the North Haven Public Schools to coordinate grief counseling services for students affected by the tragedy, officials said.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victims,” North Haven Fire Chief Paul Januszewski said. “This is a tragic reminder of the importance of closing bedroom doors while sleeping and ensuring working smoke detectors are installed in every bedroom and on every level of the home.”

The origin of the fire has been determined to be a den on the first-floor, according to officials.

Officials said the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will confirm the identities of the deceased and more information will be provided once available.

“The North Haven Fire Department encourages the community to support this family during their time of loss and to visit the department’s website and social media pages for fire prevention and safety information,” officials wrote.