The West Hartford Fire Department said the single-family home is likely uninhabitable due to the damage.

Fire on Fennbrook Road, May 15, 2025. Image courtesy of Kate Byroade

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Fire Department said a fire that broke out Thursday night at a single-family home was substantially knocked down in less than 30 minutes, but the residence sustained significant damage.

An adult occupant of the home sustained burns while attempting to extinguish the blaze before the fire department arrived, Chief Greg Priest said. That individual, who was not identified, was treated at the scene for injuries that appeared to be non-life-threatening, the chief said, before being transported to an area hospital via American Medical Response and with a fire department paramedic.

Fire on Fennbrook Road, May 15, 2025. Photo courtesy of Kate Byroade

According to Priest, West Hartford Public Safety Dispatch was notified of a fire on the back deck of a single-family home on Fennbrook Road at 10:27 p.m. Thursday. Callers reported that the fire could be seen from outside the residence, and responders were also informed that all occupants had evacuated the building, Priest said.

A neighbor informed We-Ha.com that a dog was safely evacuated from the home as well.

Fire on Fennbrook Road, May 15, 2025. Photo courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

The first fire crews units arrived at the scene at 10:32 p.m., and reported that heavy smoke and fire was visible in the rear of the residence. Priest said they called a working fire, with additional units responding and neighboring fire departments providing mutual aid to the town while West Hartford units were committed.

Firefighters immediately began to extinguish the fire using hand lines while units confirmed that the residence was unoccupied.

The fire was substantially knocked down by 10:57 p.m., Priest said. There were no injuries to firefighters, he confirmed.

Aftermath of fire on Fennbrook Road, May 15, 2025. Photo courtesy of Kate Byroade

The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the West Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office, and Priest said that the West Hartford Building Official Office had also been notified. He said he expected the house to be deemed uninhabitable at this time due to significant damage from fire, smoke, and water.

The Red Cross was also notified and would be assisting the remaining occupants, Priest said.

“West Hartford Fire would like wish the injured party our best wishes for a speedy recovery,” Priest said. There were no further updates to the victim’s condition.

The West Hartford Fire Department also thanked dispatcher, West Hartford Police, and AMR for assisting at the scene, as well as the Hartford, Newington, and UConn fire departments for providing mutual aid to the town.

Firefighter battle a blaze on Fennbrook Road, May 15, 2025. Photo courtesy of Kate Byroade

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