Kitchen Fire Extinguished In Busy Day For Hamden Firefighters

HAMDEN, CT — A family of three has been displaced from their home after a kitchen fire at an apartment complex on Mix Avenue in Hamden on Thursday.

Crews were able to stop the kitchen fire from spreading at 660 Mix Ave., according to Fire Chief Gary Merwede. No injuries were reported and the fire marshal is investigating.

“This call was originated as a fire alarm and the assignment as upgraded as multiple calls were received in central communications,” fire officials wrote in a post on Twitter on Thursday night. “The fire was quickly extinguished by squad 1 and ventilation of the building is in progress.”

The family – three adults, no children – is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.

It was a busy day for firefighters with multiple car accidents, medical incidents and lost hikers on Sleeping Giant on Thursday night.

“The 3rd platoon has had a busy shift today which has included 31 responses since 8 a.m.,” officials wrote in a Tweet. “There have been multiple car accidents, medical incidents, a kitchen fire, and currently companies are on Sleeping Giant looking for lost hikers.”

The hikers were eventually found safe.

Officials released more details about the fire on Mix Avenue on Friday. Firefighters arrived at the scene at 6:15 p.m. and were met by evacuating residents, who said that the third-floor hallway was filling with smoke.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke and a kitchen fire in a third-floor apartment. The fire was quickly extinguished and declared under control by Battalion Chief Richard Otlowski at 6:28 p.m. Crews remained at the scene overhauling the kitchen area and ventilating the building, according to Fire Marshal Brian Dolan.

Residents were able to return to their apartments by 7 p.m., according to Dolan.

“The fire started when a pot with cooking oil boiled over and ignited nearby combustibles and the kitchen cabinets,” Dolan wrote in a news release. “Three residents were displaced by the fire and were provided accommodations by the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported.

“Responding companies: S1, E2, E3, T1, R1, C3, C5.”