The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Two dead, one injured after ‘suspicious’ house fire, police say
WALLINGFORD — Two people are dead and one seriously injured after a house fire on Geneva Avenue Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Police Chief John Ventura said investigators believe the fire at a multifamily home was “suspicious.” He was on scene and said authorities were investigating, but provided no other details on what occurred.
In a release Thursday afternoon, Ventura said dispatch was called at 6 p.m. with a report of smoke coming from a residence in the 20 block of Geneva Avenue. He said Wallingford Fire Department and police units arrived on scene and located a male outside the residence suffering from severe burns.
“This individual was airlifted to a local burn center for treatment and remains in critical condition,” he said in the release. “Entry was made into the residence and Fire Units located two individuals still inside the second floor apartment.”
Ventura said one of those people was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was transported to an area hospital where they also were pronounced dead.
Ventura said the investigation into the incident, conducted by the Wallingford Fire Marshal’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office, with the assistance of the Wallingford Police Department’s Investigative Services Division, Central District Major Crime and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office, indicated that the incident was criminal in nature.
No further details were immediately available, Ventura said.
Multiple emergency vehicles were at the scene of the 2.5-story home Thursday morning. A Connecticut State Police Major Crimes Squad van was among the vehicles at the scene Thursday morning. Evidence markers were visible in the street.
The fire appeared to have occurred mainly in the back of the building, as no visual evidence could be seen on the front of the building.
Neighbors reported the fire occurred around 6 p.m., with firefighters arriving within minutes.
Anyone with information relevant to the incident is asked to contact the Wallingford Police Department at 203-294-2845 or leave a tip on the Department’s website at www.police.wallingfordct.gov.