Fire Rips Through Orange Home; Dog Dies

ORANGE, CT — A working smoke detector is credited with allowing an Orange family to escape a fire late Friday night. However, a dog died in the blaze, according to fire officials.

Firefighters were dispatched at 11:07 p.m. to 828 Mapledale Road on a report of a building fire. A resident and several neighbors reported flames coming from the home.

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Crews found heavy fire in the home's attic space and vaulted ceilings. Firefighters had the blaze under control at 12:02 a.m.

A dog died to injuries sustained in the fire.

Multiple area fire departments responded to the call and provided assistance.

"With the storm bearing down on us, there was no moon or other light, and, unfortunately, the high winds had an impact on the intensity of the fire," Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas said in a statement. "Most importantly, the smoke alarm system worked exactly as it was designed to work. The alarm alerted the homeowner to the fire, and he got out safely. This is a good reminder that working smoke alarms can make the difference between getting out safely and a much more serious outcome. Every home should have properly installed and maintained smoke alarms."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Orange Fire Marshal's Office.