Ice-Maker Starts Fire In Hamden: Fire Officials

HAMDEN, CT — A kitchen fire that started in the refrigerator’s ice-maker displaced a family from their home Wednesday night in Hamden, according to fire officials. Firefighters responded to a reported appliance fire, located at 768 Pine Rock Avenue, at about 7:45 p.m. on July 11. The first-arriving unit reported that smoke was showing from the home and a working structure fire was underway, according to Deputy Fire Chief Gary Merwede. The residents escaped from the home before firefighters arrived on the scene, according to Merwede.

“Engine 2 from Circular Avenue made entry and was able to suppress and extinguish the fire, confining it to the kitchen area,” Merwede wrote in a press release. “Additional crews remained on scene for overhaul, ventilation, and salvage of personal items. No injuries were reported.

“The fire was declared under control by Battalion Chief Ronald Desroches at 8:10 p.m. All companies were cleared from the scene by 9:10 p.m. Fire Marshal Brian Dolan has determined the accidental fire originated in the ice-maker of the kitchen refrigerator extending quickly to the adjacent cabinetry. The residents of the home will be displaced during kitchen repairs and are currently staying with neighbors.”

While knocking down the fire at 768 Pine Rock, firefighters received an additional (unrelated) call for smoke in an apartment building at 304 Pine Rock at 8:01 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 8:05 p.m., according to Merwede.

“The smoke in the first floor hallways of Building ‘C’ was due to an overheated pot-on-the-stove and required ventilation,” Merwede said. “No residents were displaced or injured.”

Photos via the Hamden Fire Department