The West Hartford Fire Department responded to a fire at a single-family home on Thomas Street on Sunday afternoon.

Thomas Street fire, Aug. 10, 2025. Photo credit: Nikholm Keopraseuth, West Hartford Fire Department

By Ronni Newton

A single-family home on Thomas Street sustained significant damage from fire, smoke, and water on Sunday afternoon, officials from the West Hartford Fire Department said, and the residence is currently uninhabitable.

The blaze was first reported as a “fire involving the rear of a single-family residence” at 3:52 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, and multiple callers indicated visible fire and smoke at the back of the home.

Thomas Street fire, Aug. 10, 2025. Photo credit: Nikholm Keopraseuth, West Hartford Fire Department

The first unit arrived at 3:56 p.m., Deputy Chief John F Sokolowski said, and noted that heavy smoke and fire were visible in the rear of the building and a working fire was declared resulting in additional units being dispatched.

According to Sokolowski, the blaze was attacked via two hand lines – one directed to the rear of the building and the other to the interior of the second floor. “The primary line to the rear of the building knocked down the bulk of the fire while the line to the interior was in place to control any interior fire spread,” he said in an email.

Thomas Street fire, Aug. 10, 2025. Photo credit: Nikholm Keopraseuth, West Hartford Fire Department

Additional personnel searched to confirm that the residence was unoccupied, and checked for extension of the fire inside the home.

Overhaul efforts were concentrated and the blaze was contained to the second floor, with some minor extension into the attic space, Sokolowski said.

The fire was placed under control at 4:13 p.m., and there were no injuries to residents or fire personnel.

The West Hartford Fire Marshal’s Office is handling the investigation of the origin and cause of the fire. A representative of the West Hartford Building Official’s Office deemed the house unsafe for occupancy due to “significant fire, smoke, and water damage,” and the Red Cross is assisting occupants with arrangements.

The West Hartford Fire Department expressed thanks to the dispatchers and West Hartford Police, as well as the Hartford Fire Department, Newington Fire Department, UConn Fire Department, and AMR for assisting at the scene and providing mutual aid including covering the town while units were committed.

Thomas Street fire, Aug. 10, 2025. Photo credit: Nikholm Keopraseuth, West Hartford Fire Department

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