The home that caught fire Tuesday night, killing one Hartford firefighter and critically injuring another, has no significant history of code violations according to city records.
The home, located at 598 Blue Hills Avenue, is a two story, two-unit building with eight rooms. It was built in the 1950s and was most recently assessed at $151,200 in 2013.
According to city building inspection records, the home had only one building violation in 2010 for a siding renovation without the proper permit. In 2009, there was also a complaint due to long grass on the property.
The owner of the property is listed as Patricia Hudson. Neighbors said Hudson and her husband, Noel Hudson, lived in the bottom apartment of the building with their two sons, ages 10 and 14. According to Noel, the family escaped unharmed after Patricia smelled smoke coming from the second floor on Tuesday evening. A tenant lives on the second floor but was not home at the time of the fire, he said.
Hartford firefighter Kevin Bell, 48, was killed while working at the fire scene. The Hartford Firefighter Union released a letter Wednesday evening that said Bell suffered critical injuries and was removed from the building in cardiac arrest.
Another firefighter, Jason Martinez, 29, was listed in critical condition at the burn unit of Bridgeport Hospital on Thursday after suffering burns on 10 percent of his body.
The Hartford firefighter union, IAFF, has created a memorial fund for Kevin Bell through the Hartford Fire Fighters Survivors' Fund.
Donations can be sent to:
Kevin L Bell Memorial Fund
C/O Hartford FIre Fighters Survivors' Fund
Farmington Bank
669 Hebron Ave.
Glastonbury, CT 06033