Fire gutted a multi-family house on Bassett Street overnight.
There were no injuries, as the seven people living in the four apartments in the house were able to make it out by the time firefighters arrived, according to Ansonia Fire Chief Michael Eheman.
The fire department was notified of the fire at about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday, Eheman said.
“It came in as a working structure fire, confirmed by the police officers on scene,” Eheman said. “When we got here, there was heavy fire on two sides and the rear of the building. It worked its way up quickly. It was heavily involved.”
Officials said the fire started in the rear of the building.
Detectives and representatives from the state fire marshal’s office were still at the scene as of 9:45 a.m. investigating the cause.
The fire did heavy damage to the rear of the house, as visible from Howard Avenue in front of the new Boys and Girls Club.
“I’d say it took a good hour and 40 minutes to knock down. A lot of the roof started to collapse, which gave us trouble,” Eheman said.
This morning entire sections of the east side of the home were laying in a side yard. Portions of the roof sat pancaked on the second floor. The damage was so intense, the structure was razed Wednesday afternoon.
More photos here and here.
Eheman estimated about 50 firefighters were on scene. Ansonia firefighters remained at the property until about 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The Red Cross and city officials put the people displaced by the fire in an area motel. The Red Cross also distributed vouchers for food and clothing.
Eheman said seven pieces of fire apparatus at the scene. Derby’s “rapid intervention team responded,” and did an engine from that city. Seymour and Oxford came in to cover Ansonia in case any other calls came in.
