A 46-Year-Old Disabled Father Died In Norwich House Fire

NORWICH, CT — A 46-year-old disabled man died in a house fire on Bentley Avenue Wednesday afternoon, officials confirmed.

Michael Smith Jr., was home alone save for his pets; two dogs and five cats also died in the fire. Smith was located on the first floor of the two-story, three-family house. Eight other people lived in the building and are now all without a home, but it's reported the Red Cross is helping the families.

His son, Mike Smith, wrote a heartbreaking tribute to his dad.

"Everything that I am today is because of you and I will never forget that. I loved you with everything I had and I’m destroying myself inside thinking how I could have been there to save you cause best believe if I was there we were both going in that fire. RIP to the best dad ever, I love you man till me meet again."

The two-alarm fire at 31 Bentley Ave., was reported shortly after 3 p.m. Firefighters from a number of area departments responded. Bentley Avenue is in the Laurel Hill section of the city.

Norwich firefighters said the fire was under control before 5 p.m.

Mutual aid came from East Great Plains, Laurel Hill, Taftville, Mohegan Tribal and Yantic fire companies.

A GoFundMe was created to help the Smiths by a family friend.

"A close friend of mine Mike Smith and his entire family has been displaced after his house caught on fire, nothing is salvageable, animals, and an amazing father of his didn't make it in the fire," wrote Sarah Matthews.

"This GoFundMe is for the family in the recovery process of finding a new place to live, to cover funeral costs, clothes, food, anything you name it they need help with. All proceeds will go to the family," Matthews wrote.

The fire is under investigation.

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