Two people are dead and a third is in critical condition following a fire at a multi-family home in Connecticut on Wednesday that police say is “criminal in nature.”
The fire broke out Wednesday around 6 p.m. at a home located at 25 Geneva Ave. in Wallingford, where crews responded after receiving a 911 call from someone who reported hearing screaming from inside the home, according to the Wallingford Fire Department .
Police and fire crews responded and quickly located a man outside who was suffering from serious burns, according to police. He was airlifted via LifeStar to an area burn center and remains in critical condition, police said.
Fire crews entered the home and found two people inside the second-floor apartment, according to police. One was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to an area hospital where they were pronounced dead, police said.
The victims have not been identified.
Dep. Fire Chief Samuel Wilson told news reporters late Wednesday that rescue crews had to contend with heavy black smoke and heat while searching for victims.
It was not immediately clear how many people resided in the house or how many were home when the blaze broke out.
The American Red Cross is assisting those who were displaced.
The fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal and the Wallingford Fire Marshal with assistance from the police department’s Investigative Services Division, Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office.
Wallingford Police Chief John Ventura said in a statement Thursday that the investigation into the fire “indicates that the incident is criminal in nature.” He said investigators could not release any additional details.
The investigation has been assigned to the Wallingford Investigative Services Division.
Anyone with information has been asked to call the Wallingford Police Department at 203-294-2845. Information can also be left at the department’s website at police.wallingfordct.gov .
Most Popular
Comments / 0