Killingly, CT — One person was seriously injured, and dozens of cats are believed to have died after a fire tore through a multi-family home on Hawkins Street Monday morning.
At approximately 6:43 a.m. on Monday, July 27, the Danielson Fire Department’s first alarm was struck for a reported building fire in the area of 24 Hawkins Street with occupants possibly trapped. The correct address was later confirmed to be 32 Hawkins Street.
On-duty KB Ambulance paramedics arrived on scene within approximately four minutes and found heavy fire showing from the building. The medics quickly confirmed that all residents had escaped the home before turning their attention to evacuating neighboring houses on both sides of Hawkins Street and across the road as radiant heat began melting vinyl siding on nearby homes.
As volunteer firefighters responded from their homes, the first arriving fire apparatus reached the scene at approximately 6:54 a.m. to find heavy fire engulfing the Alpha (front) side of the approximately 3,800-square-foot, three-family residence, originally constructed in 1903. Given the volume of fire, the size of the structure, and the immediate threat to neighboring homes, a second alarm was struck.
Firefighters were initially hindered by primary and secondary electrical lines that had melted and fallen to the ground around the building. With crews unable to safely access either the fire building or neighboring homes that were sustaining heat damage, Chief Keven McNeil requested a remote grid shutdown from Eversource until utility crews could arrive.
A remote grid shutdown disconnects power to the surrounding electrical grid but does not guarantee that all downed power lines are de-energized. While it significantly reduces the risk to emergency responders, crews must continue treating all wires as energized until they are confirmed safe by utility personnel.
Once power was disconnected and additional resources arrived, firefighters positioned two aerial apparatus on opposite sides of the residence. Nozzles on the aerial apparatus and multiple handlines were used to attack the fire through windows, doors, and the collapsed roof while keeping firefighters away from the increasingly unstable structure. Hydrants on Hawkins Street and Broad Street supplied the large volume of water needed to sustain firefighting operations.
The bulk of the fire was brought under control within approximately one hour.
The building was occupied by a single family of six at the time of the fire. One resident suffered serious injuries and was transported by KB Ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital before being flown by LIFE STAR to Bridgeport Hospital. Bridgeport Hospital is a level II trauma center and the only burn center in Connecticut.
Firefighters were able to rescue one cat from the home. After being revived on scene, the animal was transported to a local veterinary hospital and is expected to survive. Approximately 30 other cats are believed to have perished in the fire.
Throughout the incident, members of the Killingly Rehab Team and Providence Canteen provided water and refreshments to firefighters and other emergency personnel working in the summer heat.
Chief Keven McNeil later told Quiet Corner Alerts that the coordinated response by all six Killingly fire departments, KB Ambulance, and numerous mutual aid departments played a critical role in preventing the fire from spreading further during the early stages of the incident. He emphasized that the response demonstrated the value of regular training and strong working relationships between local departments and neighboring communities.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office and the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit (FEIU).
Gallery
“Every time the tones drop, it’s not a symbol responding — it’s someone’s neighbor, parent, or friend getting on that truck.”
