Probe Continues In West Hartford House Fire

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The local fire marshal's office continues to investigate a blaze late Tuesday afternoon that badly damaged a home on Birch Hill Drive.

According to the West Hartford Fire Department, the fire was first reported at 4:23 p.m. Tuesday at 7 Birch Hill Drive.

Witnesses reported seeing smoke and flames from the single-family residents and a bystander was helping a woman at the scene, according to the WHFD.

Firefighters were on the scene within seven minutes of the initial call, with the blaze knocked out within six minutes after that, reported the WHFD.

Initial responders reported seeing flames from the front of the upper floor of the unoccupied building, according to firefighters.

The WHFD said the lone occupant of the home was evacuated and was at a neighbor's house.

In addition to all WHFD units, the blaze was tended to by American Medical Response and a West Hartford fire paramedic evaluated the homeowner. No patient transport was required.

The University of Connecticut Fire Department also came to the scene to assist and mutual aid was called into town from Hartford, New Britain, and Newington to cover West Hartford stations.

Meanwhile, the West Hartford Police Department assisted in traffic control due to having a road shut down for water supply and also assisted with care for the occupant.

The WFHD said the fire and heaviest damage was done to an upper bedroom towards the front of the house.

The West Hartford fire marshal’s office as well as state fire investigators are working to determine the cause.

The Red Cross was contacted and is assisting the occupant in finding temporary shelter and there were no injuries to any first responders.

"The West Harvard Fire Department would like to thank West Hartford Dispatch, West Hartford Police Department, all mutual aid companies, and American medical response in their efforts for this call," wrote the WFHD in a statement.