Shelton FD via Facebook
Echo Hose Hook & Ladder from Shelton posted this image from the fire to Facebook.
ANSONIA — Two people and their pets were displaced after a house fire on Benz Street Thursday morning.
No injuries were reported. The Ansonia Fire Marshal is investigating the cause and origin.
The fire was reported at 32 Benz St. at about 2:45 a.m.
The first units on scene saw a portion of the attic area of the single-family, ranch-style house engulfed in flames. They spotted two people in the garage saying one of their dogs and a pet bird were still inside.
Firefighters and police escorted the residents out of the home. Firefighters then went inside the burning home to rescue a dog and a bird.
Firefighters extinguished the flames, a labor-intensive task due to high temperatures and humidity.
“There was heavy fire in the attic. The firefighters did an awesome job under tough circumstances to knock that down relatively quickly,” said Ansonia Fire Department Assistant Chief Anthony DeLucia, who was the incident commander.
“The heat was a concern. We were worried about somebody collapsing. That’s primarily why we called in all the mutual aid,” he said.
The Derby Fire Department was called to the scene, as was the Shelton Fire Department and the Seymour Fire Department. Firefighters from Beacon Falls covered Ansonia in case any other calls came in. Additional Shelton firefighters covered Derby as backup.
The Valley Red Cross was called to the scene to offer assistance to the two displaced residents.
Firefighters were on scene until about 6:15 p.m. checking for hot spots.
Firefighters reminded people that the most important thing to do during a house fire is to immediately get out of the house. Firefighters can attempt to retrieve pets once on scene.
Echo Hose Hook & Ladder from Shelton posted this image from the fire to Facebook:
