UPDATE: Westville Apartment Fire Claims Woman's Life After She Jumped Out Window To Escape Blaze: NHFD

When firefighters arrived at the 200 Fountain St. apartment building, people were hanging out the windows of a fifth-floor unit on fire: FD.

By Ellyn Santiago, Patch Staff

Jun 9, 2026 8:29 am EDT | Updated Jun 9, 2026 1:04 pm EDT

New Haven Fire Chief Daniel Coughlin said that when crews arrived at 200 Fountain St., they found a fire in a fifth-floor apartment and "people hanging out of the windows." (Lily Santiago)

NEW HAVEN, CT— Update: New Haven Acting Fire Marshal Jerry Rynich said the woman was age 71.

Original story:

A woman is dead after leaping from an upper-floor apartment in Westville to escape a fire Monday night.

It was just after 8 p.m. when the sirens began blaring. New Haven firefighters, including Engine Co. 15, a block away, were responding to 200 Fountain St. for the reported blaze, according to New Haven Fire Chief Daniel Coughlin.

Crews found a fire in a fifth-floor apartment and "people hanging out of the windows," Coughlin said.

Coughlin said one person jumped and was later pronounced dead at Yale New Haven Hospital

Coughlin said three other people were transported with smoke inhalation.

The fire immediately went to a second alarm, Coughlin said, but it was brought under control in about an hour.

The fire cause is under investigation. The Connecticut State Police is assisting the New Haven Fire Marshal in this incident, a spokesperson told Patch.

It was just after 8 p.m. when the sirens began blaring in Westville. New Haven firefighters, including Engine Co. 15, a block away, were responding to 200 Fountain St. for the reported blaze, according to New Haven Fire Chief Daniel Coughlin. (Lily Santiago)