The scene on Silver Hill Road on Dec. 4.
ANSONIA – A fire at a house on Silver Hill Road that claimed the lives of a local veterinarian’s two cats on Dec. 4 has been ruled accidental.
Ansonia Fire Marshal Darrick Lundeen said the precise cause of the fire is not known.
“We have a good idea of what happened but do not have the evidence to say with 100 percent certainty,” Lundeen said via an email to the Valley Indy. “Lacking the evidence, it will be listed as undetermined. I can tell you the fire was accidental.”
Lundeen said the fire at the one-story, single-family home at 1 Silver Hill Rd. started in the living room.
The homeowner, who according to property records is Dr. Pooja Manjunath, a veterinarian and owner of both Ansonia Westfield and Ansonia-Seymour Veterinary Hospitals, was not at home at the time of the fire. Lundeen said the fire was reported by a friend who stopped by the home.
About 50 firefighters from Ansonia, with mutual aid from neighboring Derby and Seymour, responded to the fire which was reported around 6 p.m. Dec. 4. It took more than 90 minutes to knock down the blaze. Firefighters cut holes in the roof of the house to vent the smoke and flames which were pouring out heavily from the home’s attic.
Fire officials said a firefighter tried to save one of the family cats by using CPR.
How To Help
Manjunath’s two cats, Fizzy and Bubbles, perished in the fire. Her staff set up a fund for people to make monetary donations earmarked to help save other pets’ lives.
Donations to the “The Fizzy and Bubbles Fund” will go toward specific hardship cases to help save as many pets’ lives as possible, according to an email from the business.
“In lieu of any items or gifts she may receive, Dr. Pooja would instead like to donate any thoughtful gestures monetarily to the “Fizzy and Bubbles Fund” through Ansonia Seymour Animal Hospital. Dr. Pooja’s sincerest wish is that through this fund, any donations will go to a specific hardship case that will save a pet’s life. The goal is to save as many lives as possible a year with the money from the fund.”
Anyone interested in contributing to the fund can stop by either the Ansonia Westfield Veterinary Hospital, located at 10 Westfield Ave., Ansonia, or Ansonia Seymour Animal Hospital, located at 876 S. Main St., Seymour, or by calling 203 – 735-9915. The staff is also working to set up an online link to contribute to the fund, as well.
Manjunath is taking a leave of absence, according to her staff. Both the Ansonia Seymour Animal Hospital and the Ansonia Westfield Veterinary Hospital are open.
“The staff at both Ansonia Westfield and Seymour understand how this may impact the lives of our clients and some of our patients,” according to the email. “Our cherished doctor is in mourning, and our staff is grieving for her. We ask all our clients to give us grace and understanding. Please be patient. Please be kind. Please show the same compassion that would be bestowed upon you if the roles were reversed, which we hope never happens. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will make sure to update you all on the situation as everything gets settled.”
