CROMWELL, Conn. (AP) - A fire destroyed a home built in 1853 and
caused two people to be hospitalized Saturday, fire officials said.
Investigators were combing through the rubble over the weekend
in search of clues about cause of the blaze.
The fire began shortly after 11 p.m. Friday night, and it took
fire crews more than two hours to put it out. Fire Chief David
Colligan said the old house did not have fire walls to contain the
flames, so the fire was able to quickly engulf the home.
The family who lived inside was able to escape as fire fighters
arrived. Brian Hilker was treated and released from Hartford
Hospital, a hospital spokesman said. His wife, Deborah, was in
critical but stable condition.
Officials said that their daughter, Autumn, was admitted at
Connecticut Children's Medical Center, but would not release her
condition.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)