Two girls found dead after Putnam fire

UPDATE: Two young girls were found dead after a fire broke out at a Putnam home early Tuesday morning.

Once the smoke had cleared and the home was stabilized, the grim task began. The State Police canine unit, along with investigators, went into the Prospect Street home where the bodies of the two young girls were found on the third floor.

"We hate to see anything happen like this and we're all devastated right now," said Putnam Mayor Pete Place. "We're all taken back."

Neighbor Bob Blackmar would see the girls with their mother bringing groceries into the house, but it is visions of the devastating flames which are now burned into his memory.

"They seemed like they were having a difficult time trying to get the fire out," Blackmar said.

"Because of the volume of the fire and the venting of the fire through the windows they were limited as to how far they could go," said Asst. Chief Norm Perron, "so we had to make a determination at that time to pull everybody out and reorganize."

"I'd see them out there playing and having fun," Sarah Wood said.

Wood lives across the street from the Prospect Street home where the fire broke out at about 1 Tuesday morning.

"It's an absolute tragedy," Wood said. "I mean you never want to see that you know, it's horrible."

The flames engulfing the roof caused it to collapse onto the third floor. The home, which was built in the 1800s, had five apartments in it. Four people were sent to the hospital, including the girl's mother and father for smoke inhalation. The mother who is pregnant with twins was transferred to UMass Medical Center and News 8 is told she is now in stable condition.

"There are some efforts within community at this point to come up with some resources and help the families that have been afflicted," Mayor Place said.

A community coming together at a time of enormous loss.

"That's when really...kind of hits you," said Blackmar. "These are little babies. It's really really tragic."

"It's been a long, hard day for Putnam," said Mayor Place.

The search for a cause continues. News 8 asked if the home had space heaters which are notorious for sparking flames.

"Until we are confident and make entry back into the building I'm going to hold off on that," said Asst. Chief Perron.

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PUTNAM, Conn. (WTNH) --  Four people were taken to the hospital this morning following a fire in Putnam, authorities said.

Police say three males were treated and released from Day Kimball Hospital. A female was transported UMass Medical Center.

The fire broke out at a multi-family home on Prospect Street around 12:45 a.m.

There was no immediate word on how the fire may have started. The state fire marshal is in Putnam investigating.

Roads in the immediate area are closed, in part because firefighters used so much water that the cold temperatures made the road icy.

A News 8 crew is on the scene to gather more specific information.