Large Hartford Fire Displaces 20 People, Several Pets Saved: HFD

HARTFORD, CT — Five families were displaced Friday morning after a fire at a multi-family residence on Franklin Avenue, according to the Hartford Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to 363 Franklin Ave. shortly after 7:47 a.m. for a reported fire.

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Arriving crews saw smoke coming from the cockloft area on one side of the building and declared a working fire.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and brought it under control, officials said.

Primary and secondary searches of the building found no occupants inside, and no civilians or firefighters were injured.

Hartford Licensing & Inspection determined the building was uninhabitable.

Twenty people — 11 adults and nine children from five families — were displaced.

The Hartford Fire Department's Special Services Unit was working with the American Red Cross to assist the families.

Several pets were also affected by the fire.

Six dogs and one cat were removed from or escaped the fire area, while another cat remained unaccounted for, according to the department.

Firefighters rescued one dog, which was treated by emergency medical personnel and taken to a veterinarian.

Connecticut Natural Gas and Eversource were notified to address utilities at the property.

The Hartford Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.