Date: Fri 06-Feb-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

fire-High-Bridge-Monroe

Full Text:

Fire At The Town Line Injures An Eldery Monroe Man

(with cut)

A 73-year-old Monroe man received third-degree burns on his left hand as the

result of a January 31 nighttime fire which destroyed his home at the

Newtown-Monroe town line.

The fire was at 560 Hammertown Road in Monroe, just ten feet over the town

line. Monroe and Botsford firefighters were among those who battled the blaze.

The house was completely burning when Botsford and Monroe firefighters arrived

after 9:30 pm, said Botsford Fire Chief Steve Belair.

Newtown Hook and Ladder, Sandy Hook, Dodgingtown, Hawleyville, and Stevenson

firefighters also responded.

The 2« story house was occupied by its owner, Art Luledjian, at the time of

the fire, according to the Monroe fire report. The house did not have

electricity, plumbing, running water, a telephone or smoke detectors. Heating

was provided by two wood-burning stoves and lighting provided by a lantern.

According to the report, Mr Luledjian told fire investigators he went to bed

about 8:30 pm with a woodstove operating, and at about 9 pm awoke to the smell

of smoke and the stove pipe burning.

Mr Luledjian attempted to put out the fire with a jug of water, but realized

he could not do so and left the house carrying his cat through the smoke,

according to the report reviewed by Monroe Fire Marshal Chip Carpenter.

Mr Luledjian was treated for burns at St Vincent's Hospital and was then

released. He is temporarily staying with a friend.

The accidental fire appears to have been caused by a faulty flue pipe.

Chief Belair said the fire marked the first time Newtown firefighters used

water from an underground firefighting water storage tank to put out a blaze.

That water came from a 20,000-gallon tank at the Avalon subdivision on the

Newtown-Monroe town line.

The Town Pitches In

Newtown residents have been doing their part to ease Mr Luledjian's loss.

Among the possessions destroyed in the fire was his guitar, which he often

played during Sunday services at his church.

When Newtown resident Mary Fellows heard of the lost instrument, she quickly

went out and bought the man a new one. Also, local developers Robert Gleason

and William Busk have already helped Mr Luledjian in his efforts to rebuild

his home, supplying him with lumber.

Newtown resident Joe Meadows has established an account in Mr Luledjian's

name. Those interested in helping him can send their donations to: The Newtown

Savings Bank, Sand Hill Plaza, PO Box 458, Botsford, CT 06404 or they can go

into any branch and make a deposit.

"He's a good old guy," Mr Meadows said. "He's lost everything. I was talking

to him the day after the fire, and he said he was just happy to be alive."

Despite the fact that Mr Luledjian lived a few feet over the border from

Newtown, local social services gave him a gift certificate to TJ Maxx.

Mr Luledjian, who still used an outhouse and lived much like his ancestors did

100 years ago, reportedly purchased the property for $350 back in 1942.

Mr Luledjian will require daily burn treatments for his injuries, Mr Carpenter

said. Mr Carpenter said a fund has been set up to help Mr Luledjian.

Contributions may be sent to: The Art Luledjian Fund at Chase Manhattan Bank,

465 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468.