TERRYVILLE, Conn. (WFSB) - A fire tore through a two-unit apartment building on Orchard Street Wednesday morning, displacing four people, including a family of three with a baby. Two cats that were inside the home have not been found.
Fire started on back porch, officials say
Flames and smoke broke through the roof of the apartment building within minutes. A family of three with a baby lives on the second floor, where fire officials say the fire started on the back porch. A fourth person who lives on the first floor was not home at the time.
All four residents avoided injury. Both units are uninhabitable.
Neighbor Cassy Mueller said her husband, a firefighter, heard the call on his radio for a fire across the street.
“It just went up so quick,” Mueller said.
“That is my neighbor, they have a baby, and rushed out. We tried with their garden hose to put it out, but it went very quickly,” Mueller said.
“Devastated, really devastated for them,” Mueller said.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire. Fire officials said they did not initially find or hear working smoke detectors in the building.
Officials cite rising heating costs as fire risk this winter
Assistant Chief Chris Masi, of the Terryville Fire Department, said the department expects more calls for structure fires as people begin heating their homes for the season.
“We just spoke of this at our meeting on Sunday. We have a feeling calls are going to perk up because people heating more with fireplaces, maybe burning wood that’s not seasoned,” Masi said. “More possible chimney fires, more furnace malfunctions.”
The cost of home heating oil in the state is around $5.50 a gallon, nearly double the price from this time last year, according to the fire department. Officials said the cost could lead some people to rely on alternative heating sources, which could lead to more fires this winter.
“Be mindful of what you’re using for heat. I know oil is expensive. I know electric is expensive. But don’t use indoor propane heaters for work areas, don’t use them inside,” Masi said.
Masi also urged residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
“Please everybody be safe. Make sure your smoke detectors and CO detectors are operational because they might save your life someday,” Masi said.
Red Cross assisting displaced residents
The Red Cross is assisting the four people displaced by the fire.
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