Fire Displaces Several Residents In Hamden: Officials

HAMDEN, CT — Several residents were displaced during a fire on Townhouse Road Thursday evening that damaged six units, according to fire officials.

Firefighters responded to 154 Townhouse Road at 6:38 p.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting smoke and flames showing from the multiple-dwelling wood frame building. Crews were also informed that residents may be trapped, according to Deputy Chief Gary Merwede.

The first arriving company (Engine 3) reported a “working fire with flames showing from the gable vents in the attic,” according to Merwede.

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Incident Commander Gary Couture called for an additional alarm and committed crews to suppression and interior searches of each of the apartments in the building. All searches were negative.

“The fire spread was contained to the second floor and the common attic spaces above,” Merwede said in a press release. “Sections of the second floor ceiling became unstable as firefighters worked to extinguish hidden fires during overhaul, preventing the spread of fire to the western most portion of the building.

“Fortunately there were no firefighters injuries reported.”

Deputy Fire Marshal Tim Lunn and Fire Inspector Ralph DiFonzo have determined the seat of the fire to be located in unit 154, however, the origin and cause are still under investigation, according to Merwede.

No residents reported injuries.

In total six units were directly affected by fire spread, smoke damage and the suppression effort, according to Merwede. First-floor units sustained water damage.

“The Hamden CERT Team was called to the scene for support and to assist displaced residents,” Merwede said. “CERT members coordinated with the American Red Cross to determine which residents would require emergency housing. AMR assisted with the medical evaluations of residents and firefighters.

“Hamden Building Official Robert Labulis deemed one section of the structure, which was constructed in 1982, to be uninhabitable and structurally unsound. Disconnected utilities were isolated to this area, allowing residents at the far end of the building to remain in their homes.”

Photo via the Hamden Fire Department