Crime & Safety

Fire Destroys Portland House

No injuries in two-alarm blaze

A two-alarm fire on Wednesday afternoon destroyed a multifamily home at 19 Fairview St. in Portland.

Firefighters struggled to put out a stubborn blaze that was fueled by strong winds and an older three-story building. Billowing smoke was at times so dense it obscured the structure as well as others on the residential street near town hall.

Seven people lived inside the house and all who were inside, including three children, were able to escape. The owner, James Butler, who was at work when the fire started, said his daughter was the first to notice the fire and alerted other family members.

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Chris Cook, a tenant upstairs, heard the screaming and when he went down to the second story, noticed the smoke, went to get his laptop and phone and escaped through an upstairs window.

When it appeared firefighters had the upperhand on the blaze, it flared back up again on third floor.

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The fire department and the state fire marshall were on the scene Wednesday evening. An investigation into what might have caused the fire is ongoing.

The Red Cross also was there to offer assistance to those who were displaced.

Portland was assisted by fire departments from Middletown and Glastonbury. No injuries to firefighters were reported.


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