West Hartford Apartment Building Badly Damaged By Fire Tuesday: WHFD

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A serious fire on Tuesday morning at a West Hartford apartment building displaced 13 residents and severely damaged the building.

According to the West Hartford Fire Department, units were called at about 11:14 a.m. to 17 Mitchell Place for a report of a fire on the building's second floor.

The WHFD said 17 Mitchell is a three-family residential occupancy.

"Prior to arrival, additional 911 callers from within the building reported smoke inside," wrote the WHFD in a release sent out Tuesday afternoon.

Responding units noticed smoke showing from the side of the structure and a fire on the second floor, resulting in a call to bring in additional fire resources, wrote the WHFD.

"Luckily, all residents had self-evacuated before arrival; the fire had extended throughout portions of the second-floor, third-floor, and attic. requiring multiple handlines," wrote the WHFD.

During the incident, all West Hartford FD units, in addition to the UConn Fire Department,were operating at the scene.

Firefighters said assistance at the scene was also provided by West Hartford police and American Medical Response.

In addition, Hartford, Newington, and New Britain fire departments, along with a callback of West Hartford fire personnel, covered the town while crews battled this blaze.

Ultimately, no injuries were reported to residents or fire personnel, and the bulk of the fire was knocked down by 11:26 a.m., the WHFD said.

Firefighters said a "significant overhaul" was conducted for approximately another hour due to the extent and location of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the West Hartford Fire Marshal’s office, and the structure is being evaluated by our partners in the Building Department for continued occupancy.

In conjunction with the Red Cross, the West Hartford Office of Emergency Management, CERT Team members, and Medical Resiliency Coordinator are working with 13 occupants of the building to determine the need for possible relocation.

"As always, West Hartford Fire greatly appreciates the assistance of the West Hartford Police, Dispatchers, AMR, and our other mutual aid partners from area fire departments," wrote the WHFD.