Sunnyside fire ruled accidental --- a cigarette
PUTNAM — A structure fire that badly damaged a Putnam apartment building has been ruled as accidental, according to Fire Marshal Scott Belleville.
April 12 Putnam Emergency Dispatch began receiving 911 calls of a porch fire at 27 Sunnyside Ave. Putnam police officers found the front porch well involved with fire and helped one first-floor resident escape. Fire crews from the Putnam Fire Department, along with numerous mutual aid companies, worked for approximately two hours to extinguish the flames.
After an investigation, the Putnam Fire Marshal’s Office, using witness statements, fire pattern recognition, and early on-scene video and photos deemed the origin of the fire as the exterior front porch with the cause identified as improper disposal of smoking materials.
Weather played a significant role in the ignition and rapid growth of the fire. Dry conditions, low humidity, and a moderate sustained wind along with a structure built in 1897, were all factors contributing to the incident’s severity.
The apartment building sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage in two apartments with the third apartment sustaining smoke damage. The American Red Cross assisted four adults. Two firefighters were transported from the scene by Putnam EMS to Day Kimball Hospital for heat-related injuries and were released on the same evening. Sadly, a family pet perished in the fire.
If anyone has information concerning this incident, they are asked to contact the Putnam Fire Marshal’s Office at 860-963-6800, x112.
.