Young Child Dies In Norwalk House Fire

NORWALK — A nightmare situation on Nelson Avenue played out Saturday morning as a 7-year-old girl was killed in an intense inferno that destroyed a home on Nelson Avenue.

According to Norwalk Fire Department Assistant Chief Edward McCabe, the blaze happened at 7 Nelson Ave. at 4:58 a.m. Saturday.

In a statement issued by the department later Saturday morning, McCabe said the first companies arrived minutes later and found heavy fire on the front of the house, a burning power line down across the street and two vehicles burning in the driveway.

McCabe said a man and woman had escaped the fire with their son in the backyard.

Broadcast reports from WFSB Channel 3 and Fox 61 indicated the son is 9 and the daughter was 7 years old.

The father was attempting to rescue the couple's young daughter, who was asleep in a second floor bedroom.

According to McCabe, the man had broken his arm and suffered burns when he fell while trying to climb to the window in an attempt to rescue his daughter.

Upon arrival, firefighters raised a ladder to the window and one firefighter climbed inside the burning room, located the child and passed her out the window to firefighters on the ladder, who carried her to the ground.

Norwalk Paramedics began care and transported the child and father to Norwalk Hospital.

McCabe said it was later reported the child succumbed to her injuries.

The fire escalated to three alarms, with all Norwalk fire companies working on scene and mutual aid station coverage provided by Stamford, New Canaan, Westport and the Rowayton fire departments.

According to McCabe, one Norwalk firefighter suffered burns to his face and was treated on the scene.

He said the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Norwalk Fire Marshal Division and the Connecticut State Police.

The Norwalk Public Schools released a statement Saturday afternoon saying, "Norwalk suffered the tragic loss of a child overnight after a devastating fire in the city. Our deepest condolences go out to family & friends impacted by this tragedy. School counselors & staff stand ready to provide support to all who may need it when school resumes Monday."

The town of Norwalk released a statement saying, "The City sends its deep condolences to the Norwalk family who tragically lost their child early this morning in a terrible house fire. City, Community and @NorwalkPS leaders are working to make sure that the family and all those grieving have the support they need. The City thanks the Superintendent for activating our network of school counselors & staff to meet the potential need of students. The City also thanks the Norwalk Fire Department for arriving on the scene minutes after receiving the call & Norwalk Emergency Management."

For the full WFSB report, visit this link.

For the full Fox 61 report, visit this link