Crews Share Safety Tips Amid Fatal Fires

The holiday season has not been without tragedy in Connecticut. Several people have lost their lives in fires around the state, and firefighters are emphasizing the importance of staying safe.

Investigators spent the day in Wolcott on Monday at the scene of the state's latest fatal fire. Flames broke out at a home on Bungee Hill Road in Wolcott on Sunday night.

One of the residents, Caroline Alley, was able to escape, but her husband Jan didn't make it out. Now fire crews are trying to determine what went wrong.

Just three days ago, two people died in a Bristol house fire, and earlier this month, four were killed when flames tore through a home in Enfield.

"Each one if those is a lesson for people who live in a community that looks like that or lives in a home that looks like that," said East Hartford Fire Chief John Oates. "What do I need to do to be better prepared to make sure that doesn't happen to me or in my community?"

Oates said firefighters are reported more frequently this time of year and are often caused by cooking problems, Christmas trees, candles and alternative hearing sources like space heaters and wood stoves.

"Fires can start in a variety of ways and the best preparation that people can have is have a good exit plan, make sure it's communicated among the family," said Oates.

Firefighters recommend having working smoke detectors in every bedroom, one in the hallway outside the bedrooms, and at least one on every floor of your home.

"If you look at the value of what you're trying to protect, you're trying to protect your life, you're trying to protect your family. It's an $8 smoke detector," said Oates.

Oates also advised residents to unplug Christmas trees as night and when you're not home, blow out all candles when you leave the room and check over your stove and heating sources.

"Just that little extra margin of safety and paying attention to the things we do every day can make a difference," he explained.

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