A man was taken to Griffin Hospital for smoke inhalation Friday after a fire inside a second-floor bedroom at 229 Caroline St.
The man’s injuries are thought to be minor, firefighters said.
Derby firefighters, police and EMS personnel were sent to the scene at 9:22 a.m. after a passerby saw smoke. The fire department then received several 911 calls from neighbors.
About eight tenants were in the multi-family apartment house when the fire started.
Firefighters could see smoke coming from the house when they arrived, Derby Fire Department Assistant Chief Kurt Kemmesies, Jr. said.
“The first-in members saw a bed burning on the second-floor front bedroom,” Kemmesies said.
The tenant had attempted to use a fire extinguisher on the mattress before firefighters arrived.
Firefighters were able to keep the flames contained to the bedroom.
Fire Marshal Phil Hawks was on the scene investigating.
A cigarette is the likely culprit, as the man’s bed was next to at least one ashtray.
The rest of the tenants were expected to be able to return to the building shortly, firefighters said at 10 a.m.
Land records state the house was built in 1877 and is owned by Galap, LLC of Florida.
