Fire Damages House, 2 Dogs Rescued: Milford Fire Department

MILFORD, CT — A house located at 17 Elizabeth St. was significantly damaged during a fire Tuesday night, the Milford Fire Department said. The fire broke out just before 7 p.m. and the homeowner, who is deaf, didn't hear the smoke detector, but was able to exit the home.

The man attempted to go back inside for his two dogs, but was quickly stopped by firefighters, officials said.

The Milford Fire Department was able to rescue both dogs. "As the fire was being extinguished a second crew searched the smoke filled house finding and removing two small dogs. As additional crews arrived on scene the owner and dogs were treated in the Fire Department Medic truck and were administered oxygen and monitored due to the amount of smoke they were exposed to," said Battalion Chief Thomas A. Thornberg.

"The owner was deaf and did not hear the alarm from smoke detector in the hallway, but luckily he had a hard wired system and it was monitored by a 24 hour service, who called the fire department. The Milford Fire Department wants to emphasize that once you leave your house that has a fire, do not make any attempts to reenter the dwelling for anything," Thornberg added. "Firefighters have protective equipment and self contained breathing apparatus to go in safely to rescue family and pets. Also this coming weekend we change the clocks again and we remind you to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors."

Firefighters found an elderly man standing on the front porch with heavy smoke coming from the doorway, officials said when they arrived on scene. The fire began in the kitchen. They had to cut a whole in the roof to help remove the smoke and heat and prevent the fire from spreading.

"The fire was under control in 15 minutes as firefighters opened up walls and the ceiling to check for hidden fire to insure the fire was completely extinguished also using thermal imaging cameras in the adjacent rooms to prevent further damage. No fire fighters were injured during the fire and the electrical power was disconnected and the gas shut off by the local utility companies. The Red Cross was called and aided the owner and his pets with a place to stay for the night until long term arrangements could be made with his family," Thornberg added.