Firefighter briefly trapped in fire

Norwich, Conn. (WTNH) - It was a close call for a Norwich firefighter who was briefly trapped inside a house fire.

It happened on Harland Place around 4am. It was also a close call for the residents.

"Upon arrival, heavy smoke was showing. The occupants jumped out the 2nd floor window and were taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation," said Chief Timothy Jencks, Taftville Fire Department.

Norwich Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariato says, it was a close call for the family who lost their pets in the fire. Fortunately the two children were not home last night. Jeanne McDade who lives next door was woken up by police telling her to get out.

"When I came out it was in full flame, full flame," says McDade.

"It's quite hostile inside, and unless you live it you really don't appreciate it," says Scandariato.

So hostile a firefighter on the second floor above the sun room where the fire is believed to have started was in trouble.

"We had what we call a mayday, one of the firefighters, his leg went through the floor, he was trapped," says Jencks.

A second fire fighter trying to help also went through the floor. They were helped out by the rapid response team. Investigators used an accelerant sniffing dog in their search for a cause.

"We look at everything the economics, the area of origin," says Scandariato.

The chief says while the sun room will have to be torn down, he believes the house is salvageable.

Scandariato tells News 8, investigators will be on scene for most of the day trying to determine if there was an accelerant used, or if there's any other evidence leading to a cause. He says, this is a tough one because that sun room is completely destroyed.