BREAKING NEWS: Fire Consumes Home on Blackman Ave. In Bethel

On the scene report and photography by Paula Antolini

Update: December 23, 2014, 8:18 a.m.

This home was apparently an historic home, the “Daniel Hickok House” and dates from the 1700’s, as it first appeared in Bailey’s “History of Danbury” in 1896, as referenced by Marc Moorash of the Bethel Historical Society. See chapter two of “Historic Tales of Bethel” by town historian Patrick Tierney Wild, whose caption under a photo of the home the home reads, “Local legend and at least one record suggest that Generals Benedict Arnold, David Wooster, and Gold Selleck may have spent the night here on April 26, 1777.” Read story here.

Original post: December 22, 2014 at 3:56pm

BETHEL, CT - A call about a structure fire at 13 Blackman Street (at the head of Elizabeth Street) was received by the Bethel Fire Department at approximately 12:15 p.m., December 22, 2014, according to Bethel Fire Department EMT Regina Yacko.

A town worker saw heavy smoke in the air from down the street and upon further investigation saw that the the smoke was coming from the house on Blackman Street. The worker called the fire department, Bethel Police Captain Dave Bruckenthal stated. No one was in the home when the fire broke out, Bruckenthal said. “Obviously the home is severely damaged. There were no injuries, we do not believe there were any injuries of pets either,” Bruckenthal said. The owner was contacted and arrived on the scene, he said. The name of the owner is not available at this time.

The dark gray smoke quickly turned into flames reaching through the entire roof of the structure, threatening nearby trees, especially a large pine tree to the right of the home. Bethel’s Tower 1 truck was quickly moved into place to extinguish the fire via a ladder raised above the roof. Another fire fighter started a chain saw and walked to the back of the structure. It appeared as if a warning signal/horn went off to alert fire fighters to exit the structure as the flames grew larger. Bethel Police moved spectators and the press a safer distance away from the house, down Elizabeth Street.

A number of fire and police vehicles and personnel were on the scene. Besides the Bethel Fire Department, response was also received from Stony Hill and Danbury Fire Departments.

Police Captain Bruckenthal said this was the second fire in this house in less than two years. He said there was a fire in that house 1-1 1/2 years ago.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time but Fire Marshal Tom Galliford will be investigating, Bruckenthal said.

It is possible this is an historical home, we are still investigate that and will keep you updated.

Come back and view video and more photos shortly.