Attic Fire Extensively Damages

Sandy Hook House

By Andrew Gorosko

An accidental fire struck an unoccupied house late Wednesday night, causing extensive damage to the single-family structure on Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook Center.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Chief Bill Halstead said firefighters received a report of smoke in the area of Washington Avenue about 10:20 pm, so they went there to investigate. Newtown Hook & Ladder and Hawleyville firefighters also responded. The smoke condition was reported by a passerby.

Firefighters then located heavy smoke and fire at 20 Washington Avenue, with flames extending out from a roof gable, the fire chief said.

The house is owned by Michael Burton, a local builder and developer who also is a captain with the Sandy Hook fire company, Chief Halstead said.

The rental house was undergoing renovations and was vacant when the fire occurred, Chief Halstead said. Workmen had been inside the structure earlier that day, preparing it for a new rental, he said.

The blaze appears to have started near some propane-powered heating equipment, which is located in the single-story building’s attic, the fire chief said. Chief Halstead said he would return to the scene on Thursday to pinpoint the cause of the blaze. It may have started in the attic-based furnace, in air- handling equipment, or in electrical wiring, he said.

There were no injuries, he said. The small house is set back from the street on the west side of Washington Avenue, near Washington Avenue’s intersection with Pearl Street.

The attic fire destroyed a section of the house’s roof on the south side of the building. The blaze caused scorch and smoke damage to the structure. Firefighting caused water damage to the building. Firefighters used a nearby fire hydrant for a water supply.

The house was insured for fire damage, Chief Halstead said.    

It is unclear whether the house’s damage would be repaired, he said, adding that the insurance company would make that decision.

The fire caused “tens of thousands of dollars” of damage to the house, Chief Halstead said. When a final damage estimate is made, “It’s going to be up there,” he said of the extensively damaged structure.

It is unclear how long the fire was burning in the attic before it was discovered, Chief Halstead said. Firefighters were able to knock down the blaze in approximately 20 minutes, he added.

Firefighters left the scene at about 1:30 am Thursday.