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The house was a total loss, officials said.
SEYMOUR — A fire at a home on Steep Hill Road Tuesday night (Dec. 5) that claimed the life of one of the family’s dogs has been ruled accidental by the fire marshal’s office.
The fire that broke out at 52 Steep Hill Road originated in the chimney of a wood-burning stove in the home’s living room, according to Seymour Fire Marshal Timothy Willis.
“It was a chimney fire from a woodstove; it was accidental and was not an intentional fire at all,” Willis said. “Unfortunately, the home is going to be a total loss.”
Willis said the Seymour Fire Department received a dispatch call around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night of a possible structure fire. Willis said numerous volunteer firefighters from nearby Great Hill Hose Fire Co. were fortunately still at the firehouse after completing their regular Tuesday night drills and were able to reach the single-family home quickly.
Willis said the section of Steep Hill Road — just off of Davis Road — where the home was located was part of an older section of homes built in the 1930s.
Two adults living in the home were not home when the fire broke out. However, upon their arrival home Tuesday night, they found their home engulfed in flames. The couple’s two dogs were inside the home. One of the dogs, a Yorkie named Sam, died. The other dog was able to run outside after the homeowner kicked the door in, according to Willis.
“The residents were just pulling into their driveway when they saw their house was on fire,” Willis said. “One of the residents kicked in the door, and one of the dogs managed to run out. The other dog, unfortunately, died.”
Willis said about 60 Seymour volunteer firefighters were on scene to knock down the fire, which he said took about 90 minutes to extinguish.
No firefighters were injured, according to Willis.
Willis said the couple was able to stay with a family friend for the night. The American Red Cross was on scene, as well, and has since set the couple up with hotel accommodations for the time being.
