CT Firefighter Burned Battling Residential Fire

July 2, 2021
A firefighter suffered second-degree burns to both legs while working to put out a two-alarm fire in West Haven that drew crews from three districts.

WEST HAVEN, CT—Five people were displaced Thursday afternoon after smoke and flames engulfed their home in the city's Allingtown neighborhood. One firefighter was hospitalized with burns, but is expected to recover.

The two-alarm fire drew crews in from the city's three fire districts, and a large crowd of onlookers as emergency vehicles flooded the area.

Allingtown Fire District Chief Michael Terenzio said crews were called to the 100 block of Admiral Street at 3:12 p.m. Firefighters arrived at the 100 block of Admiral Street around 3:14 p.m., according to dispatch reports.

Residents initially reported eight people live in the house, but Terenzio said the fire department counted five residents displaced. The home includes three dwelling units, residents said.

Police were called in to control traffic in the area. A total of 25 firefighters responded to the call, with crews from New Haven and Milford covering as all the city's fire districts responded, Terenzio said.

One firefighter was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital with burns on both legs. Terenzio said the firefighter was treated for second-degree burns and released, remaining off-duty for the rest of the shift.

Terenzio said the fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze. The fire appears to have started on the first floor in the rear of the building, but investigators are working to determine if the fire started in the interior of the building or outside.

Firefighters could be seen cutting a hole in the roof of the home to put the fire out, with smoke billowing out as they made entry.

Four people were treated for heat exhaustion, said Terenzio. While the day was not hot, the humidity exacerbated the heat.

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(c)2021 The Register Citizen, Torrington, Conn.

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