Officials: One person dead after West Hartford fire

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - One person is dead after a fire in West Hartford on Wednesday night, according to fire officials.

Shortly after 9 P.M., public safety dispatchers received calls for a building fire at 22 Thomas Street.

Fire due fire companies arrived to find smoke showing from a 2-story dwelling.

A 3rd party monitoring service reported a life-line activation inside the residence, with reports of a couch fire from the occupant.

Fire crews were unable to get in touch with the occupant when they initially arrived.

A short time later, a victim was located and removed from the residence.

Officials say the victim was in critical condition at the time with life-threatening injuries. They were taken to the hospital.

Fire officials said the victim succumbed to their injuries.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death, the fire department said.

Officials said the victim’s name has not been released at the request of the family.

“West Hartford Fire, West Hartford Police, AMR, our mutual aid partners, and CT State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit (CSP-FEIU) offers our thoughts and prayers for the victim, the victim’s family, and others affected by this tragedy,” said the West Hartford Fire department.

The home at 22 Thomas Street is considered inhabitable and agencies are working on scene to make sure resident’s needs are met.

“While not necessarily a factor in this incident, the West Hartford Fire Department would like to remind everyone that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms should be installed and maintained on every level of your dwelling and in the immediate vicinity of sleeping areas,” the fire department said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Stay with Eyewitness News 3 for updates.