3 Residential Fires 'Unprecedented' For Canton Firefigthers

CANTON, CT — Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS crews responded to three residential fires in four days, which fire officials called "unprecedented."

The first fire at 9 Gemstone Drive in Collinsville was reported Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Crews arrived to find a three-bedroom home fully involved in flames. The fire had already pushed up from the basement area, was racing throughout the house and rising out of the roof’s skylight.

Two people were found on the property were initially transported to UConn Health, then later flown by Life Star to the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital.

After the fire was knocked down, firefighters re-entered the residence to locate and extinguish the many hot spots, still smoldering, throughout the building.

Chief of Department Bruce Lockwood said in a statement: "While the cause of the Gemstone fire is currently under investigation by the Canton Fire Marshal, preliminary information indicates that there was a significant delay in calling 911, due to attempts by private individuals on scene to extinguish the fire. This delay in dispatching fire crews created a situation where the fire was able to grow throughout the home unchecked."

The next blaze was at 14 Atwater Road in Collinsville was reported by a passing bicyclist at 11:49 a.m. Wednesday. The four-bedroom house was engulfed in flames but no one was at the residence.

In both of these blazes, firefighters had to extinguish the fire from outside the homes.

The third fire was reported Friday at 4:15 p.m. at 5 W. Simsbury Road in North Canton. This time, firefighters performed an interior attack to knock down the flames.

No one was injured in this fire, which remains under investigation.

"The Town of Canton can be proud of the skill, commitment and work ethic that our Fire, EMS and Fire Police crews demonstrated in these two very challenging back-to-back fires," Lockwood said in a statement. "This is, unfortunately, the time of year when residential fires increase. To help us help you, please remember to properly maintain your home’s fire/smoke/CO detectors; inspect and clean your residence’s chimney(s) at least once a year; and do not ever hesitate to call 911."