Crime & Safety

Candle Leads to Fire in Main Street Residence

At least two occupants were transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

Two residents of a Main Street house were transported to the hospital this evening for injuries sustained when a fire broke out in a bedroom.

The two were transported for smoke inhalation, according to East Haven Fire Department Battalion Chief Andrew Carlson.

The fire started at about 8:41 p.m. in a second-floor bedroom of the two-story, multi-family house at 549 Main St. The cause appeared to be a candle that was knocked over, Carlson said, or a paper towel that may have been used to light it and was not properly disposed of.

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"They were trying to put the fire out with a hose when we got there,” he said.

The house is among the following Irene's onslaught on Sunday.

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Carlson said damage was predominantly limited to fire damage in the bedroom and some water damage on the second and first floors.

“That one bedroom was burned up pretty good,” he said.

The fire is the second in two days in town. One broke out last night when a .

Carlson, who is also without power, said residents should use extreme caution and care when using alternative lighting solutions. He uses Coleman lamps powered by batteries.

"Candles are just a bad idea," he said. "It's better to have a flashlight or some kind of camp light that uses batteries."

"If it’s hot, don’t use it inside," Carlson added.


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