Resident Injured While Escaping House Fire In Hamden: UPDATE

HAMDEN, CT — A resident sustained burns and smoke inhalation while escaping a house fire on Whitney Avenue on Thursday, according to fire officials. Emergency crews responded to 4400 Whitney Avenue just before 12 noon after the resident reported that his home was on fire.

Read more from the Hamden Fire Department below:

The first arriving Engine Company, Engine 5 (11:54) found the homeowner curbside and reported a working fire at the address. Fire suppression operations were initiated and care of the patient was taken over by Rescue 1. The patient was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

On entry Engine 5 encountered a heavy volume of fire at the front doorway leading to the living room. While most of the fire was contained to the living room, heat and smoke damage was evident throughout the first floor. Additional fire companies checked for fire extension and began ventilation and salvage operations. Battalion Chief Richard Otlowski declared the fire under control at 12:22.

During fire operations the Hamden Police Department closed Whitney Avenue and held trucks and busses. Standard automobiles were rerouted through narrow residential streets around the emergency scene.

Fire Marshal Brian Dolan has determined the origin of the fire to be a recently installed propane supplied fireplace insert. The exact cause of the fire within the appliance or adjacent connections remains under investigation at this time.

The photo shows the entry way to the home just after the initial fire attack/ Courtesy of the Hamden Fire Department