NORWICH, CT - At 7:46 A.M. on Tuesday, September 19th, the Norwich Fire Department, with Taftville Tower 25 and Laurel Hill Engine 62, were dispatched to 197 Central Avenue for smoke coming from the roofline. Norwich Dispatch transmitted the working fire at 7:47 A.M. saying they were taking multiple calls with a person possibly still on the second-floor.

Engine 2 arrived at 7:48 A.M. reporting smoke showing from the second-floor and stretched a one-and-three-quarter-inch hose line up the exterior wooden stairs on the 'Delta' side. Two members from Truck 1 went to the second-floor to perform the primary search while the driver threw ground ladders and went to the roof. A deceased victim was found on the second-floor shortly after arrival.

Squad A established the water supply from a hydrant on the corner of 3rd Street, which fed Engine 2. Engine 3 stretched a backup line to the second-floor. Truck 25 went to the roof and prepared for vertical ventilation if needed. Engine 62 performed the secondary search.

East Great Plain Rescue 5 and Ladder 5 with Occum Engine 41 staged on Central Avenue and then covered the city. The Norwich Police Department, American Ambulance and the American Red Cross assisted on scene. The Mohegan Tribal FAST responded and the Norwich Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosives Investigative Unit.