ANSONIA — Fire marshals are investigating the cause and origin of a fire in a multi-family house reported Saturday (Jan. 31).
There were no injuries reported. An estimated 12 people were displaced, according to emergency radio transmissions sent during the fire. The Valley Indy was unable to confirm that number over the weekend. Update: a deputy fire marshal said Feb. 4 that four people were displaced.
The Red Cross was called to the scene to find temporary housing for the residents.
Firefighters were sent to 6 Fifth St. at 12:43 p.m. after getting a call regarding smoke in the building. A firefighter radioed dispatch saying he could see smoke in the area.
“First-arriving units reported heavy fire conditions on the second and third floors at the rear of the structure,” according to a statement from the Ansonia Fire Department’s Facebook page. “Firefighters made an aggressive attack and brought the fire under control. No injuries were reported to residents or firefighters.”
The rear decks of the house partially collapsed, according to emergency radio transmissions. Eventually firefighters were ordered out of the house because of safety concerns. The fire was stubborn and traveled within the eaves of the house. Firefighters were still dealing with hotspots more than an hour after arriving on scene.
Temperatures hovered in the single digits for much of the call.
Ansonia firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton.
The three story, three-family house was built in 1880, according to tax assessment records. It has 11 rooms total and a little more than 2,500 of living space.