Firefighters Suffer Burns in Hamden Fire: Officials

HAMDEN, CT — Three firefighters were hospitalized for treatment of burns sustained while battling a structure fire on Choate Avenue Wednesday morning, according to fire officials.

The Hamden Fire Department responded to 787 Choate Avenue at about 11 a.m. after a passerby called 911 to report the fire.

Responding crews reported heavy fire coming from the garage and extending to three sides of the house, according to Deputy Chief Gary Merwede.

Merwede said Engine 9 from the Johnson Road Station was the first on the scene.

“With the assistance of Rescue 1, lines were stretched to the garage and inside the home for fire suppression and search for occupants,” Merwede said in a press release. “The initial search determined that no one was inside at the time of arrival. Fire extended to the attic of the home through the exterior soffits.”

Battalion Chief Richard Otlowski (Incident Commander) declared the fire under control at 11:29, according to Merwede.

Merwede said three firefighters were transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital after the fire was under control and treated for burns received during operations. All are expected to be treated and released today.

No civilian injuries were reported and the occupants of the home are to be relocated with family and friends, according to Merwede.

Hamden Fire Marshal Brian Dolan’s preliminary investigative report has determined the area of origin to be the garage area, however, the cause is still under investigation at this time, Merwede said.

Photos courtesy of the Hamden Fire Department