West Hartford Firefighters Extinguish Structure Fire Tuesday [Updated]
Audio By Carbonatix
Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)
The West Hartford Fire Department responded after a resident returned home to find a fire in the single-family home at 33 Selldan St. [Updated]
By Ronni Newton
A West Hartford resident was met with the sound of a smoke detector when returning home just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and immediately called 911 after smoke poured out when she opened the door, according to Battalion Chief Keith Albert.
After seeing the smoke the resident had closed the door to prevent children from entering the home, and according to Assistant Chief Hugh O’Callaghan fire crews arrived on the scene at 33 Selldan St. in less than four minutes.
Lt. Michael Boivin, who was the first officer to arrive on the scene, found “smoke showing from the front side of the residence,” O’Callaghan said, and additional fire units and AMR ambulance were also called to respond.
Crews were able to attack the fire from the interior, and quickly knock it down and place the incident under control, O’Callaghan said.
Crews also conducted a search and confirmed that no one was inside the home. No injuries were reported.
“This incident underscores the importance of properly installed and functioning smoke detectors,” officials said in a news release.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Grimaldi is investigating the cause of the incident.
According to an email received Wednesday from a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, the organization is providing assistance to four people – two adults and two children – who were impacted by this fire.
The department appreciates the assistance of West Hartford Police as well as Eversource and AMR for their roles in mitigating the incident.
Friends of Feeney has launched a fundraiser to assist the impacted family. Donations can be made by clicking here.
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I can’t believe you did not do what I as a journalist always do in reporting a fire: Tell your readers up front where the fire occurred — what street and what block!
Was there a reason for hiding the location?
Oh my goodness – that was a total error on my part! I was doing too many things at once late at night, and completely left off the address. I have updated the story now, and thank you for pointing this out! ~Ronni