By Doug Fenichel
A family escaped a house fire on Mapledale Road in Orange on Sept. 25 thanks to working smoke detectors, although the family dog was lost. Photo by Doug Fenichel.
A working smoke detector enabled an Orange family to escape injury after a late-night fire broke out at their Mapledale Road home on Sept. 25.
The Orange Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at 11:07 p.m. to 828 Mapledale Rd. for a reported building fire. While responding, dispatch received multiple calls from the occupant and neighbors reporting visible flames coming from the structure.
First-arriving firefighters reported visible flames coming from the rear of the home. Firefighters immediately entered the residence to extinguish the fire and search for a family dog. Unfortunately, the dog succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire.
Interior crews encountered heavy fire conditions in the attic space and within the vaulted ceilings. Firefighters advanced into the attic area and worked to extinguish the remaining fire. The fire was reported under control at approximately 12:02 a.m.
Members of the Derby Fire Department responded to assist with additional manpower and staffed the Rapid Intervention Team, which is assigned to respond in the event a firefighter requires rescue.
AMR ambulance personnel were on scene to evaluate firefighters and occupants for any injuries. The Orange Police Department also assisted at the scene. The Woodbridge Fire Department was requested to provide coverage for the Orange while Orange firefighters operated at the scene.
“With the storm bearing down on us, there was no moon or other light, and, unfortunately, the high winds had an impact on the intensity of the fire,” said Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas.
“Most importantly, the smoke alarm system worked exactly as it was designed to work,” added Dumas. The alarm alerted the homeowner to the fire, and he got out safely. This is a good reminder that working smoke alarms can make the difference between getting out safely and a much more serious outcome. Every home should have properly installed and maintained smoke alarms.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Orange Fire Marshal’s Office.