Cat Dies, Family Displaced After Kitchen Fire In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Three people were displaced from their home and a family cat died in an apartment fire early Sunday morning in Hamden, according to fire officials.

Firefighters responded to a kitchen fire in the 100 block of Kaye Vue Drive around 3 a.m. and found smoke coming out of a doorway, according to Deputy Fire Marshal Nelson Hwang.

“The crew advanced a hose line and was able to extinguish a stove top fire,” Hwang wrote in a news release. “Fire damage was contained to the kitchen area with smoke damage throughout the unit of a four-story apartment building. The fire crews checked for extension and ventilated the unit.

“The fire started in a cooking pot with oil in it. The resident had stepped out of the kitchen for a minute and the smoke detector activated alerting the other family members. The mother awoke and found that the oil had boiled over and ignited. She attempted to apply water to it which led to further fire spread.”

Three family members were relocated with the assistance of the American Red Cross.

“Unfortunately, a family cat died as a result of the fire,” Hwang said.

Two firefighters received treatment at the scene for minor injuries, according to Hwang. The New Haven, North Haven and Cheshire fire departments provided station coverage for Hamden.

“The Hamden Fire Department advises that residents stay in the kitchen while they are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food,” Hwang said. “If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire on the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. If you cannot safely extinguish the fire call 911 and exit the home immediately.”

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