Two residents jumped from a second-story window to escape an apartment fire on Wednesday morning. Crews responded to reports of a heavy fire between Washington Avenue and Martin Street in the Center District at 5:30 a.m. The two residents who jumped from the second floor were the only occupants in that unit at the time. They escaped safely.
Five people from three units were forced out as firefighters battled flames in freezing temperatures. There were no injuries to residents. One firefighter sustained a minor injury in a slip and fall due to icy conditions.
West Haven Deputy Fire Chief Bill Johnson said the freezing temperatures made the dangerous situation even more challenging. โThe minute the water is exposed to the temperatures, it freezes,โ Johnson said. โWe had a lot of issues with that with our crown ladder placements, extinguishing needs.โ Neighbor Juan Sota expressed concern for the displaced families. โItโs too cold out here especially for the little kids. Itโs awful,โ Sota said.
Firefighters from all three West Haven districts responded to the fire, with trucks lining the street that was shut down for several hours. The Red Cross and CT Transit stepped in to help the displaced families. CT Transit provided a bus for warmth and shelter.
โThe fire people called the company and recommended the bus for the people,โ said Hartly Blackwood, a CT Transit bus driver. โWe are here all the time to help out in any way we can.โ The fire is under investigation by the Fire Marshal.
