Enfield House Fire Likely Caused By Candle

ENFIELD, CT — A woman and her dog escaped a fire in their home without injury Saturday morning, fire officials said.

The Enfield Fire Department, along with mutual aid from the four other town fire companies, responded at 10:26 a.m. to a report of a structure fire at 21 Burnham Street near the southern edge of town. Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy fire showing from a second floor bedroom window.

The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. The lone occupant of the home was alerted to the fire by a smoke detector and was able to escape, along with her dog, according to fire officials.

Enfield Firefighters were assisted on scene by the remaining four fire departments in town, and the fire was subsequently brought under control within 30 minutes.

An initial investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal indicates an unattended candle in the bedroom is the likely cause of the fire. The resident was asleep on the first floor when the fire started, Enfield Fire Chief Ed Richards said.

"This incident is a case study in both the danger of leaving candles burning unattended, and the critical importance of having working smoke detectors in the home," Richards said. "I'm grateful that nobody was hurt as a result of this fire, and am proud of the work all of the firefighters on scene did to quickly bring it under control."

(Cliff Champlin)