Tuesday, December 19, 2006
WEATHERSFIELD - Mineral Ridge Fire Chief Randy Pugh says it was just luck there were no fatalities in a Monday morning house fire.
"It was absolute luck," Pugh said, because the Craig Dominic home at 3910 Edward St. didn't have a smoke alarm.
Two people, 17-year-old Nick Dominic and his brother, 18-year-old Aaron Dominic, were released from Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital after treatment for smoke inhalation.
Pugh said a pot was left on the stove when the brothers fell asleep. Firefighters were called to the home shortly before 4:30 a.m. when Aaron was awakened by the smoke, ran to a neighbor's house and called 911.
When firefighters arrived, Nick, who had been trapped inside his bedroom in the ranch-style house because of the thick smoke, was found trying to get out a window.
The flames were confined to the kitchen, Pugh said, but there was smoke damage throughout. He estimated damage at between 25,000 and 30,000.