NEW HARTFORD, Conn. — A large fire tore through a historic building in downtown New Hartford this morning.
The building on Bridge Street contained 14 apartments and six businesses, known locally as the New Hartford House. The building had stood there since the 1800s.
Officials said all tenants have been accounted for and safe. A Burlington firefighter was taken to the hospital after experiencing a serious medical issue at the fire scene and was in serious condition. Two other firefighters suffered from minor injuries.
The Burlington Volunteer Fire Department released a statement saying that one of its firefighters "experienced a medical emergency" and was taken to hospital. The firefighter is said to be in critical condition. The name of the firefighter has not been released.
"We asked that you keep our firefighter in your thoughts and prayers," said Burlington Fire officials in a written statement.
"We’re all devastated. You see the brick facade is all that remains," said New Hartford First Selectman Dan Jerram.
At this time it's unknown what sparked the fire. Officials said the initial call came in around 2:30 a.m. When the first fire crews arrived at the scene, they found heavy fire on the roof. The flames then spread to all three floors of the building.
"As soon as he came running in to tell us in the other room, a window had exploded in and a big backdrop of flames came shooting in," said resident Christine Civitillo who had lived in the building for a year.
Crews from all over Litchfield County were brought in to assist the New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department. In total, over 100 firefighters were called to the scene to help douse the flames.
The back portion of the building is partially collapsed. It's where the fire began, according to officials.
“There was a really glaring fire alarm going off," said Allen Deeds, a neighbor across the street. "Like the whole town — you could hear it.”
“It’s devastating to be woken up in the middle of the night to a smoke alarm," said Red Cross spokesperson Eric Oubre, "You have two minutes from the sound of that smoke alarm to get out of the house and it is so important that people have working smoke alarms in the house.”
Route 44 is also closed in the area while crews work.
At least three firefighters have been taken to the hospital for injuries. Officials said two suffered only minor injuries.
Jon Barbagallo, the regional public information officer told FOX61 all 22 residents plus a pet hamster and Beta fish made it out okay, but several tenants lost their cats and dogs.
The fire became the talk of the town Tuesday afternoon.
"I grew up here and it’s historical," said Mary Francis Hogan of New Hartford.
Jim Chakulski spent the afternoon in his lawn chair to watch the scene unfold and he had flashbacks of his past.
"When it was the Pink Hotel, that was a landmark when you’re coming to New Hartford. I remember as a kid, I used to come up here fishing with my father. We’re talking over 60 years ago. We always went by there," said Chakulski of New Hartford.
Barbagallo hoped the facade can at least be saved and rebuilt.
This is a developing story.
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