Firefighters in southeastern Connecticut battled two house fires that happened in the course of one hour, three miles apart early Thursday morning. Now, investigators say, the fires might be connected.
Crews were called to a home at 53 Crescent Ave. in the Niantic section of East Lyme about 1 a.m. The fire started on the front porch and spread quickly, ultimately destroying the house, officials said. Seven people, including a 4-year-old child, were able to escape unharmed.
An hour later, the second fire started, three miles to the east, at a home on First Avenue in Waterford. The only man inside the home was able to get himself and his two dogs out.
Fire investigators said there are similarities between the fires. Lisa Wildrick owns the house in Niantic and is the executor of the estate for the one in Waterford. State Police have been brought in to assist in the investigation.
Investigators have taken pieces of evidence to the crime lab, but it might be weeks before they know the exact cause of the fires.
