12/20/15 New Haven CT 2nd alarm 55 Redfield St.

[signal29]

12/20/15 New Haven, CT - A quiet Sunday morning shift change in New Haven quickly turned chaotic for firefighters in the hill section of the city. Companies arrived to find a two and a half story, wood frame, occupied dwelling heavily involved in fire and rapidly extending. Several occupants were trapped initially, but were removed by pd with a civilian ladder prior to the fire departments arrival. A second alarm was transmitted as companies started an interior attack because of reports of civilians trapped. Primary searches proved negative as conditions rapidly deteriorated. Members were pulled from the dwelling for an exterior attack. The fire rapidly extended throughout the structure due to balloon frame construction. Multiple hand lines and master streams were operated for over an hour to bring the blaze under control. Several occupants were transported to area hospitals with various injuries. Several more were displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation.