Orange Family Escapes Mapledale Road Fire; Dog Dies

ORANGE, CT — A family escaped unharmed after a fire tore through its Mapledale Road home late Friday, Sept. 25; firefighters brought it under control at approximately 12:02 a.m. Saturday. The Orange Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to 828 Mapledale Road at 11:07 p.m. after neighbors and the homeowner reported visible flames.

Heavy Fire Spread From the Rear of the Orange Home

WFSB reported that firefighters found heavy fire spreading from the rear of the house into the attic and vaulted ceilings. The Orange Times reported that crews entered the home to fight the fire and search for the family dog, which died from injuries sustained in the blaze.

Nearby Departments Assisted Orange Firefighters

The response included the Derby and Woodbridge fire departments, Orange police and AMR emergency medical personnel, WFSB reported. The Orange Times said Derby firefighters brought extra personnel and staffed the rapid intervention team, the crew assigned to rescue a firefighter who gets into trouble, while Woodbridge firefighters covered Orange’s calls during the fire.

AMR personnel evaluated occupants and firefighters for injuries, according to The Orange Times. The family escaped unharmed.

Smoke Alarm Alerted the Homeowner

Orange Fire Chief Vaughan Dumas said the home’s smoke alarm alerted the homeowner, who got out safely. “The smoke alarm system worked exactly as it was designed to work,” Dumas said, according to The Orange Times. He urged residents to have properly installed and maintained smoke alarms.

Dumas also described the conditions crews faced that night. “With the storm bearing down on us, there was no moon or other light, and, unfortunately, the high winds had an impact on the intensity of the fire,” he said, according to The Orange Times.

The Orange Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, according to WFSB and The Orange Times. Neither report identified a cause.

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