Firefighters from all five of Newtown's fire companies, and a crew from Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, responded to a structure fire on Sunnyview Terrace late Tuesday morning, October 11. Firefighters were able to rescue two pet cats that were in the building, according to Hook & Ladder Chief Ray Corbo.The Newtown Bee.Associate Editor John Voket contributed to this story. 

Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue was initially dispatched to the call, which was reported as "odor of burning inside."

Within minutes, Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Chief Bill Halstead was on scene, and reported fire being seen through the windows of the single-family home at 23 Sunnyview Terrace.

At that time, Botsford, Dodgingtown, Hawleyville, and Hook & Ladder were also dispatched for the working fire. Southbury and Monroe fire companies were contacted, and offered standby help at Sandy Hook and Botsford fire stations, respectively. Chief Halstead served as officer in command of the scene.

The fire was reportedly knocked down within 20 minutes of the first firefighters arriving on the scene. Firefighters had to cut through the roof to provide some venting.

It did not appear the homeowners were home at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported as of noon as crews were doing clean-up work.

Shortly after the call was sent out for the structure fire, Sandy Hook was also dispatched to a property on Jeremiah Road, where a barn alarm was sounding.

Fortunately, someone at that property was able to contact dispatch and report that the alarm going off was an accident. Firefighters were therefore able to remain on the scene of the Sunnyview incident.

An American Red Cross Disaster Services Team was en route to the scene to assist residents of the home just after noon.

Additional details will be reported as they become available. A full story about this fire will also be presented in the October 14, 2016, print edition of