Branford Family Loses Possessions After Fire Badly Damages House

BRANFORD, CT — A house was badly damaged by fire on Tuesday afternoon, the Branford Fire Department said. The occupants attempted to save their three cats but the fire forced them to abandon those plans. Fortunately, for the family, the Branford Fire Department was able to rescue the cats including reviving one cat.

Engine CO’s 1, 2, Truck 1, Rescue 1, Rescue 2, Medic 1, Car 6 and Car 1 all responded to a well involved fire in a single family dwelling at 19 Leetes Island Road around 3 p.m. Tuesday. The fire broke out near the furnace.

"The occupants who were trying to save their three pet cats, had to abandon their efforts for their own safety as the thick smoke enveloped the entire complex," the Fire Department said.

Firefighter Paramedic Mike Olejarczyk located an unconscious cat and brought it outside. A second cat was removed unharmed from the attached porch and it is believed the third made it out on its own.

The rescued cat was revived using a specially designed feline oxygen mask. The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished before it could spread beyond the home, fire officials said. The father and daughter who lived in the home lost most of their belongings just one day after Christmas, they are staying with a relative, officials said.

There were no injuries to the occupants or firefighters. The home has been deemed uninhabitable by the building department. One of the cats, white with black spots remains unaccounted for, if you see her please call the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, fire officials said.

Photo via Branford Fire Department/Facebook