3 displaced after home blaze in South Fire District

MIDDLETOWN — There were no injuries in a house fire that ravaged a raised ranch on Bartholomew Road on Saturday morning.

A passerby called 911 at about 8:50 a.m., according to South Fire District Chief Michael Howley. None of the three residents of 1580 Bartholomew Road were home at the time.

When firefighters arrived, officials immediately called in mutual aid and a tanker truck, which arrived quickly, Howley added.

The circa 1964 structure was engulfed in flames at the southeast corner.

“It was going pretty good. It had already broken through the windows and the roof. It got a jump start on us. No doubt about it. There is no water out this end of town, so right away, we had tankers coming. There is considerable damage done,” at the 1,340square-foot house, Howley said.

The residents were displaced and the structure condemned.

The blaze was under control within a half-hour. South Fire called in Middletown and Westfield fire, while Haddam and Middlefield companies provided station coverage.

The state and South Fire fire marshals are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze.

Meanwhile, the mayor’s office at City Hall is collecting items for the family who lost its home. They are taking donations of clothing (boy size 4X, boys size 16-18, boys size 7 shoes, boys size 10.5-11 shoes, women’s size 16 pants, women’s size 14 pants, XL and large shirts, size 8 women’s shoes, and size 12 shirts, and socks for women, men and boys,” Mayor Dan Drew posted on his Facebook page.

Gift cards, food, and toiletries are also welcome, he added.

Chief Michael Howley / Contributed photos South Fire District crews knocked down a structure fire Saturday morning at a home on Bartholomew Road in Middletown.