Update: All Five West Hartford Fire Companies Respond to Blaze on Prospect Ave.

A fire at a three-family residence Tuesday on Prospect Avenue caused widespread damage and displaced one family, including a 41-year-old woman who was taken by ambulance to a Hartford hospital, said.

All five West Hartford fire companies responded to a fire call at a three-story dwelling at 491 Prospect Ave., near the Boulevard, at 11:04 a.m., battalion chief James Quish said.

“We got a report of an active fire on the rear porch and the possibility of someone trapped,” Quish said. “Upon arrival there was heavy smoke from floors 2 and 3.”

Quish said the woman, a second-floor resident, was taken to a hospital by an  for evaluation. An early report indicated she sustained smoke inhalation but was not burned. She was later released from the hospital.

“One person was transported to the hospital shortly after we arrived,” Quish said. “A dog also was successfully removed from the building.”

The dog was taken to a veterinarian by a West Hartford animal control officer but was expected to be okay.

Assistant fire chief Mike Sinsigalli said the cause of the fire was under investigation. A later report indicated a scented candle was possibly to blame.

Sinsigalli said the fire apparently started in a rear hallway in the second-floor residence, which was deemed uninhabitable. The Red Cross was expected to assist the family with lodging and immediate needs.

About 20 firefighters controlled the blaze in about 20 minutes, Quish said, and Hartford firefighters were on standby.

Firefighters from Station 3 on New Britain Avenue were the first to arrive and “initiated a rapid search of floors 2 and 3,” Quish said.

“A damage estimate really won’t be available until the insurance company has had a chance to look at it,” Quish said.

The blaze shut down traffic on Prospect Avenue between Farmington Avenue and the Boulevard.

Quish said the fire burned through second-floor walls and spread to the third floor, also causing extensive smoke and water damage. The 4,560-square-foot wood-framed structure was built in 1925, according to property records, and is owned by a South Windsor man.

“The fire was very intense on the backside of the house,” Quish said.

Sinsigalli said residents in the first- and third-floor residences will be able to return.

Ashley Farrington, who lives with her family on the first floor, said she rushed home from school in Farmington when her mother called about the fire.

Farrington said her mother got out with her dog, Marvin, and her cat was found unharmed after the fire was under control.

“Oh beautiful, that’s even better,” Quish said when told the cat was okay.

Original story:

A fire late Tuesday morning in a multifamily home at 491 Prospect Ave. was brought under control in about 20 min., according to Battalion Chief James Quish of the West Hartford Fire Department.

Engine #3 from the Elmwood Station was the first to respond to the report of an active fire which may have originated on a second floor rear porch of the wood-frame structure. All five West Hartford companies were on the scene and units from Hartford were also placed on standby.

Initial reports were that it was "possible someone was trapped," Quish said. One individual was brought to a local hospital, but details were unavailable according to Quish. Several animals were also in the building.

Neighbor Robert Tedder, who lives across the street on Prospect Ave., said that, "Around 11 a.m., I saw black smoke coming out of a second floor window."

The West Hartford Fire Marshal was on the scene, and an investigation is being conducted.