Man, 82, Evacuated From House Fire In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — An 82-year-old man was safely evacuated from a garage fire that was started by a discarded cigarette Thursday afternoon in Hamden, according to officials.

Officials are crediting an alert neighbor for quickly contacting the fire department to help prevent the fire from spreading into the home.

Crews responded to a reported garage fire at 25 Hamden Hills Dr. at 12:17 p.m. on Dec. 3. Squad One arrived at the home two minutes later and found the side of an attached garage on fire, according to Fire Marshal Brian Dolan.

The fire was quickly extinguished and Rescue One personnel entered the home and safely evacuated the 82-year-old man, according to Dolan.

Dolan said the fire was called in by a neighbor, Marjorie Wolfe, who noticed a trash can on fire.

“After attempting to alert any possible occupants she called 911,” Dolan said. “By this time the fire had spread to the garage. The alertness of Wolfe and quick response time of the Hamden Fire Department prevented the fire from spreading into the living quarters of the home.”

Dolan determined that the fire was caused by a discarded cigarette in the trash can.