Firefighter Injured In 2-Alarm Fire In Hamden: Officials

HAMDEN, CT — A firefighter suffered second-degree burns while battling a two-alarm fire Friday morning in Hamden, according to officials.

Crews responded around 8:40 a.m. to a house fire in the 1000 block of Wintergreen Avenue. Engine 2 reported smoke showing from the eaves of the house, according to Hamden Fire Marshal Brian Dolan.

Dolan said the first-arriving companies safely evacuated one resident, along with three small dogs.

“An aggressive interior coordinated attack was initiated while crews encountered high heat, heavy smoke and fire conditions on the second floor,” Dolan wrote in a news release. “The assignment was upgraded to a second alarm due to the conditions present along with the environmental factors. The firefighters were able to contain the fire to the two bedrooms on the second floor.”

The home’s occupant was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation by American Medical Response, according to Dolan.

Dolan said mutual aid fire departments from neighboring towns (Cheshire, New Haven, and North Haven) provided station coverage and responded to other emergency calls while Hamden companies battled the two-alarm blaze.

The Hamden Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the American Red Cross provided assistance to the homeowner as well as to the firefighters “operating in challenging and frigid conditions,” according to Dolan.

“During the fire investigation, it was discovered that there were multiple extension cords and power strips in the bedroom with some running under carpets and padding,” Dolan wrote. “The Hamden Fire Department would like to remind residents that extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis. Multiple cords should not be plugged into each other, and they should not run under carpets or doorways. Inspect cords before use and discard any damaged ones.”