Investigation continues into fatal house fire

The Torrington Fire Department is continuing its investigation into the cause of a Thursday night fire that left one person dead and another in critical condition at Bridgeport Hospital.

On Tuesday, the department released the names of the victims: Donna Needham, 68, who died from injuries sustained in the blaze; and her husband, John Needham, 65, who remains in “critical condition at this time” according to a statement.

The Needhams were previously identified to the Register Citizen by John Needham’s brother, Roger, who was at the scene.

“The Torrington Fire Department is continuing to work with the Connecticut State Fire Marshal’s Office to determine the origin and cause of the fire,” Chief Peter Towey wrote. “There is no cause determined at this time.”

The fire happened in the Needhams’ single-family home on Stoneridge Drive, where they had lived for about 15 years.

According to the Fire Department, the house had no working smoke detectors.

The Drakeville Volunteer Fire Department, Torringford Volunteer Fire Department, Harwinton Westside Fire Department, and Winsted Fire Department assisted at the scene or with city coverage during this incident. Tankers from Harwinton, Litchfield, Norfolk, Winchester and Winsted assisted with water supply.

Leslie Hutchison / Hearst Connecticut Media The Torrington Fire Department describes the Needham home as having substantial damage after a three-alarm fire Thursday night.