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03/26/2021 12:00 AMAn investigation into what caused a fire in a single-family home at 27 Ridge Road in Chester on March 21 is ongoing, according to local and state fire officials. The homeowner, Joan Carini, 76, died in the fire while two other individuals from the home were transported to Middlesex Hospital for minor injuries, according to Chester Fire Chief James Grzybowski, by phone with the Courier.
Multiple agencies are assisting the Chester Fire Marshal’s Office with the investigation, including the Connecticut State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit (CSP FEIU).
“Because a fatality was involved, the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is also conducting an investigation into the death, as is Troop F in Westbrook,” said Sergeant Paul Makuc of the CSP FEIU, by email with the Courier.
“As with any fatal house fire, we are investigating any factors that may have contributed to the death of the occupant, including smoke detection, egress, and any other factors that inhibit the ability of the occupant to escape, such as health conditions and mobility,” he continued.
Grzybowski said that due to the fatality, the state’s expertise, along with the availability of certain tools for the collection of evidence, is necessary.
“Usually, it’s just the local fire marshal’s office unless there happens to be a fatality because when they [CSP FEIU] come in, they have more of the expertise and more of the tools readily available,” said Grzybowski.
The Chester Fire Department responded within minutes to the fire, receiving a call at 9:36 a.m. and arriving on the scene at 9:39 a.m.
There was “heavy smoke coming from both the first and second floors of the building, heavy black smoke coming out…of the front door,” Grzybowski said.
Several other local fire departments were called to help respond to the fire, which is routine “to ensure we have enough personnel on the scene,” said Grzybowski.
The Deep River Fire Department provided automatic mutual aid, with Killingworth and Haddam fire departments also responding.
“Haddam covered our station and we also brought in, initially, Old Saybrook’s rapid intervention team, and then we ended up putting them to work. So, we brought in Clinton’s rapid intervention team as back up,” said Grzybowski.
Grzybowski noted that the “fire did spread rapidly…Our response was very quick; it was a little surprising at how much it had already caught fire.”
Carini lived in the home with her daughter’s family, the Molyneuxs. Several family members managed to escape the blaze, while two others, including Carini, were trapped inside, according to Makuc in a news conference on March 21 broadcast by WTNH News 8.
“One of the occupants outside attempted to get back inside to rescue both of those individuals but was unsuccessful due to the fact that there was heavy smoke and fire conditions already in the building,” said Makuc in the March 21 broadcast. “The second-floor occupant managed to escape through a second-floor window and jumped to the ground and sustained minor injuries.”
Carini was located on the first floor of the dwelling by firefighters.
“We knew exactly where she lives on that floor and we were able to get right at her,” said Chester Fire Marshal Dick Leighton in the broadcast.
She was transported to Middlesex Hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to Makuc.
The family also lost two pets, a dog and a cat, in the fire, according to Chester First Selectman Lauren Gister, by email with the Courier.
“The crews fought a very active and fully engaged fire on three floors and in the walls for many hours,” said Gister, who added that ambulance crews were also on site to care for the family.
“Two of Chester’s fire marshals were working the scene, and our Chester constables came in to provide overnight security until the home could be properly boarded up and secured. I spent about four hours there and got to witness the amazing leadership and dedication of these fine first responders. Truly a reminder of the heroes among us,” she continued.
An online fundraiser at gofundme.com/f/relief-after-tragic-fire has been set up to help pay for the family’s housing and necessities, as they have been displaced from their home by the damage cause by the fire.
“The Carini and Molyneux families are long-time Chester residents, and our hearts go out to them in this sad time,” said Gister. “The Town of Chester is and will continue to do all we can to support them and get them the resources they need to get back on their feet.”