NEW BRITAIN - A fire killed an 11-year-old boy early Tuesday morning. Officials identified boy as Cade Townsend Jr. who lived on the third floor.
Officials said the call came in around 1:20 a.m. and when they arrived, the multi-family home at 756 East St. had fire on all three floors. They were told that Townsend was trapped inside.
They tried repeatedly to rescue the child, but were unable to get to the area until after the fire was knocked down. Officials said Townsend was located on the third floor and pronounced dead at the scene by New Britain EMS personnel. Stewart said it looks like the fire started on the porch.
One firefighter was injured trying to rescue Townsend. The firefighter was taken to the hospital with a burn on the leg, and was treated and released. no one else was injured.
Eleven people were home at the time of the fire. The Red Cross is assisting the residents. The building suffered extensive damage.
Stewart said the school is offering crisis counseling.
Superintendent Kely Cooper released the following statement:
This morning, in the early morning hours, a fire occurred at a multifamily home in New Britain resulting in several injuries and the loss of an 11-year-old student attending the Consolidated School District of New Britain. The District has responded by providing additional support personnel, including counselors and social workers, to the school where the student attended. The student was well liked and well known to fellow students who were, obviously, affected emotionally by the loss of a classmate.
In deference to the family’s needs at this tragic moment, the District is limiting information regarding the student. The District, as a whole, mourns the loss of someone so young and extends its thoughts and prayers to the child and family.
