West Hartford firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire in a multifamily home on Newington Road on Tuesday afternoon.

By Ronni Newton

Working in sub-freezing temperatures, crews from the West Hartford Fire Department quickly extinguished a blaze that occurred Tuesday afternoon in a multifamily home on Newington road.

Dispatchers received a report at 2:36 p.m. that a gutter was on fire on the multifamily home on Newington Road. Firefighters and West Hartford Police were immediately dispatched to the location.

A paramedic unit, already in the area, arrived on the scene in approximately one minute, Chief Greg Priest said, and reported seeing smoke from the ridgeline  – the top of the roof – of the residence.

Additional units were called to respond to the structure fire, and other area fire departments provided mutual aid while West Hartford units were occupied at the scene.

Firefighters battled a blaze on Newington Road on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Courtesy of West Hartford Fire Department

When companies entered the building, they found a fire that had extended from the exterior ground floor into the attic and began suppression activities.

One adult occupant and an animal had already evacuated on their own prior to units arriving at the scene, Priest said.

According to Priest, the bulk of the fire was reported as knocked down by 3:02 p.m.

The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by the West Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office “with a particular focus on the possibility that there were de-icing efforts with an open flame earlier near the gutter which was initially reported on fire,” Priest said.

The Red Cross is responding to assist residents. While the West Hartford Building Official’s Office will make the determination about whether or not the structure or any portion of the multifamily residence can be re-occupied tonight, Priest said “it is expected to be deemed uninhabitable due to fire, smoke, and water damage.”

“West Hartford Fire would like to thank our dispatchers, the West Hartford Police Department, and our mutual aid partners who assisted by covering the town while our units were committed to the fire,” said Priest, adding thanks to those who made quick work limiting the extent of the fire on a very cold day, and for the assistance of AMR and UConn Fire Department.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.