Simsbury Official's Family Reunited With Lost Dog Days After House Fire

SIMSBURY, CT — The dog that fled during a house fire earlier this week that displaced the family of Simsbury’s deputy first selectman has been found and reunited with them.

Simsbury Deputy First Selectman Steven Antonio said Thursday night that the family’s missing dog, Hazel, had been located after several days of community searching following the fire.

“Suffering a tragedy as my family has, is overwhelming; but to see and be the recipient of the love of our community is such a powerful feeling,” Antonio wrote in a Facebook post alongside a photo of his family with the dog. “Especially the outpouring of support searching for our Hazel.”

He added, “I don’t know where to start, there’s been so many beautiful gestures and compassion. Yes, we had a horrible tragedy, but what a lucky man I am. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

According to the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company, the fire broke out around 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the Antonio family home on Holcomb Street.

The blaze caused significant damage to the home and forced the family to relocate. No civilians or firefighters were injured.

One of the family’s dogs, Fiona, died in the fire.

The other dog, Hazel — described as a 30-pound female blue heeler wearing a pink collar — fled the home during the incident and was missing for several days.

The disappearance prompted a community search effort.

The CT Dog Gone Recovery Network coordinated volunteers, while Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis urged residents to keep the Antonio family in their thoughts as the search continued.

From March 5: 'Simsbury Selectman's Beloved Dog Missing After Fire Damages Home'