Family Loses Home, Firefighter Injured In Thanksgiving Fire

HAMDEN, CT — A family’s home was destroyed and a firefighter was injured while battling a fire on Thanksgiving in Hamden. The family was out of state for Thanksgiving at the time of the fire, according to Deputy Chief Gary Merwede. The firefighter was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital for treatment of a shoulder injury. There were no civilian injuries, according to Merwede.

Firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire at 132-134 Shepard Street, between Goodrich and Read, at about 5 p.m. on Nov. 23. The initial 911 caller reported smoke and flames showing from the third floor of the home with family members possibly on the third floor. First-arriving crews reported heavy fire showing and began searching for residents, according to Merwede.

“Initial searchable areas were reported negative, while suppression operations were starting,” Merwede wrote in a press release. “Due to the proximity to the New Haven city line, the New Haven Fire Department also responded, having received multiple calls from their nearby residents. Hamden Battalion Chief Ronald Desroches took command of the incident and coordinated the efforts of both departments to bring the fire under control (at 5:27 p.m.). The third-floor living area sustained heavy fire damage and the lower floors had smoke and water damage. There was no fire spread to the exposed adjacent properties.

“Due to the age of the home, extensive overhaul was needed to extinguish any hidden fire. The Hamden Building Inspector was called to examine the structure and United Illuminating cut power to the electrical service. Due to fire, smoke and water damage, the home is uninhabitable.”

Through the help of neighbors and nearby family members, the residents of the home were contacted out-of-state where they had gone for the Thanksgiving, according to Merwede. They left for their trip early Thursday morning and will remain with relatives for a while. The Red Cross will assist as needed upon the family’s return to Hamden.

Hamden Fire Marshal Brian Dolan is investigating the origin and cause of the fire.

Photo courtesy of the Hamden Fire Department