WATERBURY — On the morning of Feb. 27, the Waterbury Fire Department responded to a call at 9:22 a.m. for a structure fire at 5 Railroad Street, where they encountered a blaze that had spread from the first to the second floor of a single-family home.
Upon arrival, fire crews worked to extinguish the fire, which had originated on a couch in the first-floor living room.
Fire Chief Gary Dillon promptly called in the Department of Public Safety Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit to assist in determining the cause of the fire.
Investigators from the unit conducted a thorough examination and concluded that the fire was accidental, caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.
The homeowner, 68-year-old Michael Abare, was not injured in the incident.
The fire resulted in an estimated $60,000 in damages to the property.
In the aftermath, the Red Cross was engaged to provide support to Mr. Abare.
The Waterbury community is relieved that there were no injuries reported and that the fire did not claim any lives.
