Cat Rescued, Residents Escape Grove Street Fire

Firefighters were able to contain a multi-floor apartment fire on Grove Street in less than 15 minutes on Monday.

While four people were home when the afternoon fire broke out, there were no injuries. Although the fire rendered the home uninhabitable, all of the residents, including a house cat, escaped the fire.

Bloomfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Joe Critchley said that they several calls about the fire came in through dispatch. With multiple calls for a single incident usually indicating a larger emergency, Bloomfield fire engines rolled out fast.

“It was quick,” Critchley said. “We punched it down quick.”

Running water lines from nearby hydrants, multiple fire engines that responded to the scene were able to stamp out the fire between 10 and 15 minutes of their initial response. 

The greatest damage was to the rear of the house, Critchley said, adding that the first floor underwent extensive smoke damage and that the fire gutted the second floor.

Early reports indicated that people were trapped inside the house during the fire but in truth, the residents were able to get out without injuries. 

One witness said smoke was visible from Bloomfield Ave., but that when they came to the block the fire itself was already out.

Critchley praised his men for the fast response.

“We did a good job on a hot day,” Critchley said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.