A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning, claiming one life and injuring three others.
The fire occurred in a home on the unit block of Eaton Place in the Clairborne at Lexington Farms development near Summit Bridge Road and Denny Road.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office is currently investigating the incident to determine its origin and cause according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
The alarm was raised shortly after 3:00 am when the Aetna Hose, Hook, and Ladder Company responded to reports of a structure fire with people trapped inside. Upon arrival, the firefighters were met with thick smoke billowing from the two-story house, with two individuals still inside and two others injured outside.
Efforts to rescue the trapped occupants were immediately initiated by the brave firefighters. Crews searched the home, finding one victim on the second floor. The person was evacuated from the home for medical attention.
As the rescue mission continued, the situation intensified as another victim was discovered in the home. Firefighters urgently called for advanced life support (ALS) paramedics to meet them at the front door. Tragically, one of the occupants, whose identity has not been disclosed, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
In addition to the human casualties, the fire also claimed the lives of two dogs that were inside the house during the incident.
The injured occupants were rushed to Christiana Hospital for treatment, with one person in critical condition and two others in serious condition.
Chionchio said preliminary reports suggest that the blaze resulted in extensive damage, estimated at $300,000. The house lacked residential sprinklers added Chionchio.