Fire Destroys Waterbury House; Hydrant Issues Hinder Firefighting Efforts: Officials

WATERBURY, CT — A house on Bennett Avenue was destroyed in a fire shortly after midnight, and problems with nearby hydrants hindered firefighters’ efforts to quickly extinguish the blaze.

Fire Department Capt. Edward Partridge said the occupants got out safely and there were no injuries.

Mayor Paul Pernerewski Jr. said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon the fire department was summoned to the scene, at 152 Bennett Ave., around 12:07 a.m. Tuesday morning.

It was initially reported as a garage fire, and when firefighters arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames, the mayor said.

The occupant had been alerted by neighbors, and she was able to safely evacuate with her dog, Pernerewski said.

Officials believe the fire started in the garage, though the Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating the cause as of Tuesday afternoon. Fire officials do not believe it is suspicious, the mayor said.

The fire also spread to two vehicles parked in the driveway, destroying them also. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control around 1:17 a.m., according to the mayor.

When firefighters tried to get water from two hydrants on Bennett Avenue, they couldn’t get enough water to fight the fire. They had to run hoses to Highland Avenue and Fairfield Avenue, and then they were finally able to get adequate water, officials said.

An additional engine was assigned to the fire to assist with water supply too, according to Partridge.

“It was a 20 minute loss of time to get to working hydrants,” Pernerewski said.

The mayor said officials believe the build-up of debris in the pipes caused the inadequate water flow in the hydrants on Bennett Avenue. The house’s location on a dead end street may also have contributed to the water flow problem, according to the mayor.

Pernerewski said he isn’t sure exactly when the hydrants were last tested, but it is the city’s intention to go back and do so.