Fire displaces Naugatuck family

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NAUGATUCK — A fire displaced a mother and her two children from their home on Highland Avenue over Labor Day weekend.

Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 163 Highland Ave. at about 10:40 a.m. Aug. 31. Assistant Fire Chief John DeBisschop said smoke was coming from the second floor of the home when firefighters arrived on the scene. Firefighters entered the home to fight the fire, which was actively burning in the basement and first floor, he said. He said firefighters got the fire under control by about 11 a.m.

Firefighters remained on the scene until about 3:30 p.m., checking for hot spots and ventilating the house.

A 10-year-old boy was home at the time of the fire and out of the house by the time firefighters arrived, DeBisschop said. The boy was taken to a local hospital and treated and released for possible smoke inhalation, he said.

DeBisschop said two cats were inside the home, and one died. A firefighter also suffered a minor cut on his hand when a piece of glass cut through his glove, he said.

DeBisschop said a woman rented the home, which is uninhabitable, and lived there with her two children. He said the home sustained significant fire, water, heat and smoke damage. The home is believed to be structurally sound, he said, but the family likely lost all their possessions.

“This is one where you could say that they probably lost everything,” DeBisschop said.

The American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the family, he said.

The owner of the home is listed as Noreen Miller of Beacon Falls, according to borough records.

The fire is believed to have started in the basement. DeBisschop said a basement door and door to the first floor were open when the fire started, which provided air and a clear path for the fire to spread.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.