This image was posted to the Facebook page of Eagle Hose & Hook & Ladder Co. # 6.
ANSONIA — An overnight house fire Tuesday displaced two residents on Fairview Drive.
A female resident suffered smoke inhalation and was treated by EMS at the scene, firefighters said.
The fire department was sent to 20 Fairview St. at 2:42 a.m. for a report of a structure fire. A member of the fire department was on scene within 30 seconds and confirmed the fire, Ansonia Fire Department Assistant Chief Anthony DeLucia said.
Both residents were out of the house as firefighters arrived to see heavy fire in the kitchen/living room area of the one-story, ranch-stye house. It took about 10 minutes to knock the blaze down, DeLucia said.
The home is the residence of Michael Carpinello and his partner, JoAnn. They are the well-known team behind “Super Softy,” the ice cream truck that is a constant presence at events and neighborhoods in Ansonia and Derby. Carpinello is a prolific Facebook user and follower of the happenings of local government.
Condolences and well-wishes for the family poured in on social media Tuesday morning as news of the fire spread.
The Red Cross was also contacted to provide assistance.
Ansonia Fire Marshal Darrick Lundeen said the fire started after Carpinello checked on something he was cooking in the kitchen.
“The fire originated in the kitchen. It appears to be unattended cooking. He was making some food and probably left it a little too long because when he went in and took the lid off, it flashed and took off,” Lundeen said. “He was lucky to get out.”
The bulk of the fire damage was in the kitchen and the living room. The rest of the house was damaged by smoke, heat and water.
According to statistics from the National Fire Prevention Association, fire departments responded to an average of 470 home cooking fires per day in 2018. Unattended cooking was the leading cause of cooking fires and casualties, according to the group’s reseach, which can be accessed here.
Lundeen reminded residents to have smoke detectors in their homes, and to make sure they are working.
