One Fatally Injured, Two Escape Thompson House Fire

Thompson, Conn. – Two residents were able to escape a house fire by jumping from a second-story window as their home went up in flames Thursday morning. An adult woman was unable to escape the fire and passed away despite rescue efforts by firefighters.

At 7:52 a.m. on Thursday, December 21st, 2023 area fire departments were dispatched to 180 Fabyan Rd for a reported structure fire, for many responders this was their second structure fire in less than 12 hours. Minutes after the initial dispatch an update was passed over the radio that an occupant might still be inside.

When the first fire officer arrived on the scene it was confirmed that a single occupant was trapped inside the building which was already “fully involved”. Fire officers, along with Connecticut State Police Troopers, attempted to enter the building to rescue the woman but could not force their way through the tremendous heat already being emitted by the fire. When the first fire truck arrived on the scene, another attempt was made to enter the building but due to the ever-decreasing conditions within the structure, it became apparent that the woman could not be saved.

Over the next 2 hours, 19 departments were brought in to fight the blaze. A large portion of these departments were requested to supply tanker trucks due to the lack of hydrants in the area. A tanker shuttle was established between the scene and a nearby river.

One firefighter was evaluated for minor injuries sustained during firefighting operations and treated on the scene. A second firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries while responding to the fire and was transported to Day Kimball Hospital. The two occupants who escaped by jumping from the second-story window sustained only minor injuries and were treated on the scene.

The fire is currently an open and ongoing investigation being conducted between the Thompson Fire
Marshal’s Office and the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit. Please contact the Thompson Fire Marshal’s Office at 860-931-6299 with any information regarding this fire.

A Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team has been made available to personnel on the scene should they need any support following the incident.

Agencies that responded, or were dispatched, included: the West Thompson Fire Department, Community Fire Company, Quinebaug Volunteer Fire Department, Thompson Fire Engine Company, East Thompson Volunteer Fire Department, Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association, Bungay Fire Brigade, Muddy Brook Fire Department, Dayville Fire Company, Putnam Fire Department, East Putnam Fire Department, East Killingly Fire Department, Pomfret Fire Department, Eastford Independent Fire Co #1, Dudley Fire Department, Southbridge Fire Department, Putnam EMS, KB Ambulance’s QV Medic, Webster Fire/Rescue, Killingly Rehab Team, Special Signal Association Providence Canteen, and the Connecticut State Police.

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