BRISTOL, CT — A two-family home fire on School Street early Monday morning forced the evacuation of nine residents and caused a temporary shutdown of a key section of Route 72, as Bristol firefighters battled heavy flames at the rear of the property.
The fire, reported at around 5:30 a.m. on May 19, occurred in the 100 block of School Street, a heavily trafficked section of Route 72 that connects West Street to North Main Street. The building, a two-story multi-family residence, housed multiple tenants who awoke to the smell of smoke and quickly evacuated the structure.
Emergency Response
Firefighters arrived to find visible flames pouring from a room at the back of the house. According to the Bristol Fire Department, crews initiated an aggressive interior attack to contain the blaze before it could spread to neighboring units. The fire was contained to a single room, although smoke damage affected other parts of the building.
Fortunately, all nine occupants had safely exited the building prior to fire crews’ arrival. No injuries were reported, and no individuals required hospitalization. Emergency medical responders remained on standby as a precaution, while firefighters worked for over an hour to fully extinguish the flames and ventilate the structure.
The quick action of the occupants and coordinated response by fire crews helped prevent a more serious outcome, according to Bristol Fire Chief Richard Hart.
Traffic Disruption
As a result of the incident, Route 72 (School Street) was shut down from West Street to North Main Street. The closure began around 5:27 a.m., just minutes after the initial call came in. The roadway remained closed for several hours as fire apparatus, hoses, and personnel blocked access to facilitate emergency operations.
The closure significantly disrupted the morning commute, as drivers were forced to take detours through residential areas. The roadway was reopened later in the morning once the fire scene had been cleared and deemed safe by fire and public works officials.
Displacement and Community Support
The nine displaced residents are currently receiving temporary housing and support services through local aid agencies and the American Red Cross. It is not yet clear how long the building will remain uninhabitable, pending damage assessment and inspection by the city’s building department.
Neighbors described the scene as frightening and chaotic, but praised first responders for their fast response and professionalism.
“It was really scary to see flames that close,” said Lillian Mercado, who lives across the street. “I’m just glad everyone got out okay. The fire department was here within minutes.”
Investigation Underway
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Bristol Fire Marshal’s Office. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical issue in the rear portion of the building, but a full forensic examination is underway.
Fire officials are reminding residents to ensure all smoke detectors are functioning properly and to create a home evacuation plan, especially in multi-family buildings where time to escape may be limited.
“This incident is a strong reminder of the importance of early detection and having a plan,” Chief Hart said. “These residents did the right thing by evacuating immediately.”
