Fire professionals share prevention tips amid spike in fatal fires across Connecticut

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WTNH) — A handful of deadly fires over the past few weeks are raising some concerns with those within the Fire service as departments look to expand prevention education.

According to the Connecticut State Fire Marshall’s Office, there have been 28 fatal fires in Connecticut so far this year.

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While the number isn’t necessarily high compared to previous years, officials say the frequency of incidents within the past couple of weeks are raising red flags.

“There’s definitely been an uptick, especially this summer around the state,” Michael Proto of the New Haven Fire Department said. “New Haven is no exception to that.”

As acting public assembly inspector and investigator, Proto says the department is often dissecting causes of fires in the area to find better ways to prevent them in the future.

“Year in and year out it does shift. The main thing is smoking in the house, the big thing in July was obviously the fireworks,” Proto said.

Proto noted overloaded extension cords have also caused problems in the recent past and reminds residents to unplug heat sources or appliances with a risk of catching fire before you go to sleep or leave for the day.

Alan Zygmunt of the Connecticut State Fire Academy shared they’re often working to further educate the public on fire prevention.

The academy is now partnering with other local agencies to cohesively expand public fire prevention education through a new initiative, Fire Safe CT, which launched this month.

“It doesn’t matter where you are in the state, whatever fire department, you’ll be able to go to this resource, get good fire safety messages,” Zygmunt said.

The Connecticut Office of the State Fire Marshal, Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit alongside the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital are also partnering on the initiative. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) plans to support the project to address outdoor fire risks.

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