By Justin Muszynski
Hartford Courant
HARTFORD, Conn. — Two adults and two children are dead following an early-morning two-alarm house fire in Hartford on Monday.
The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. at a single-family home on Shultas Place, where crews responded and found heavy flames on the front of the structure, according to the Hartford Fire Department.
A second alarm was activated to bring in additional resources. Fire Chief Rodney L. Barco told reporters at the scene the home was engulfed in flames on the first and second floors, with flames extending to the third floor. Crews tried to get in on the first floor, but the fire was too heavy.
They used a ladder to get to the second floor and conducted a quick search, Barco said. They pulled out of the home after the fire and heat became too intense.
Barco said crews launched an exterior attack of the flames and had to vent the roof before they were able to suppress the fire and knock it down. The wind picked up at one point, which led to two structures on either side of the home suffering “mostly cosmetic” damages, Barco said. Crews were able to prevent those buildings from fully catching on fire.
Once the fire was under control, crews were able to search the interior of the home and look for any hidden flames by opening walls and ceilings, according to Barco.
Two adults and two children were killed in the blaze, fire officials said. Officials on Monday morning were still working to confirm the identities and ages of the victims, according to the fire department.
Four additional people in the home, two adults and two children, were taken to area hospitals for evaluation and treatment, according to fire officials. A firefighter was also taken to a hospital. None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening, fire officials said.
According to Barco, the firefighter was injured when he fell down a flight of stairs in “zero visibility” conditions because of the smoke and other factors.
“This is a heartbreaking incident for the victims’ loved ones and the entire Hartford community,” Mario Oquendo, Jr., a spokesperson for the fire department, said in a statement. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family during this incredibly difficult time. We mourn the loss of these lives and stand together in support as we begin to heal from this tragedy.”
According to Barco, firefighters will be offered aftercare and mental health services.
“It’s really hard on the firefighters even though we deal with this on a daily basis,” Barco said. “We all have families, we all have loved ones and children. So, they take it to heart and they take their job very seriously and they do a good job at it.”
Oquendo said the fire department’s Special Services Unit and the American Red Cross were assisting those who were displaced. The home is expected to be a total loss.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Hartford Fire Marshal , the Hartford Police Department and Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. According to Barco, it was too early to determine if the fire was accidental or intentional.
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