No Smoke Detectors, Delay Calling 911, Led To Bethel House Blaze

BETHEL, CT — Officials have determined that the cause of the Oak Ridge Road house fire last week was accidental, the result of "improperly discarded or unattended smoking material."

Fire Marshal Thomas Galliford said that the fire at 4 Oak Ridge Road on Jan. 24 at 09:50 a.m. was investigated by his office, the Bethel Police Department, and State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation. The fire started in a basement bedroom and spread throughout the basement of the home into the main level.

The home suffered extensive structural damage and is uninhabitable. The American Red Cross responded and assisted the family with funds towards immediate needs and lodging, comfort kits, recovery envelope, blankets, and community partner referrals.

Galliford said the investigation revealed the lack of any working smoke alarms in the home, and a delay in calling 911 immediately.

"It is a good time to remind the residents of Bethel to have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home or apartment including the basement and to be sure your smoke alarms are working," Galliford said. "They are truly the first line of defense in saving lives and limiting property damage when a fire breaks out."

The Fire Marshal also warned owners on Friday against any delay in calling 911, "even for a small fire that you feel can be extinguished quickly. Fire grows and spreads rapidly and you only have seconds to escape. Closing a door to a room where a fire starts helps to prevent the fire from spreading quickly as well."