NEW HAVEN — A fire at the Ridgeview Condominiums Friday afternoon sent flames from a first-floor kitchen to the top floor and displaced more than 30 residents, fire officials said.
What happened and how it affects residents
New Haven Fire Department crews arrived to find people still inside the building. Multiple occupants required rescue; officials say seven people were pulled to safety. The blaze was reported under control at 2:59 p.m.
- Seven people rescued from the building.
- More than 30 residents displaced and relocated to Ross Woodward School.
- One resident treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation.
- One firefighter sustained minor burns after a ceiling collapse.
Response and shelter
Displaced residents were taken to Ross Woodward School, where the American Red Cross is assisting those affected. Residents were later permitted brief access to the building to retrieve belongings, though officials did not provide a date for when people may return full time.
Damage, rescues and investigations
Residents reported heavy damage to multiple units. A top-floor owner described her apartment as a total loss and said the roof is gone. Firefighters searched the structure after control was established to check for missing pets.
“People were found to be hanging out of windows, so multiple rescues were made,”
— Battalion Chief Patrick Psarras, New Haven Fire Department
The fire chief confirmed the cause and circumstances remain under investigation. One resident told reporters she did not hear smoke alarms when the fire began; officials have not released further findings about alarms or the fire’s origin.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Control declared | 2:59 p.m. |
| People rescued | 7 |
| Residents displaced | More than 30 |
What residents should know now
- If you or a neighbor were displaced, the Red Cross at Ross Woodward School is the contact point for immediate assistance.
- Officials have not announced a timeline for re-entry; avoid the property until it is cleared by authorities.
- Anyone with information about the fire or who saw the situation as it unfolded should contact the New Haven Fire Department to assist the ongoing inquiry.
Residents continue to assess losses and focus on recovery. One affected owner acknowledged the devastation of losing a unit but emphasized relief that no one suffered life-threatening injuries.
